You probably heard this many times when you were a kid being constantly reminded by your parents: “Eating sweets will rot your teeth.” The chances are that you were restricted from eating candies and chips as well as drinking soda and artificial juices. This is because it is believed that the sugar present in these foods and beverages can lead to tooth decay and significantly damage your teeth.
The biggest question is whether or not sugar actually rots your teeth. We’ll answer this crucial question in the following section. We will also share about the effects of sugar on your teeth and some tips on preventing tooth decay.
How sugar can rot your teeth
It’s important to understand that a tooth problem all starts with a plaque. As you may or may not be aware, your mouth has hundreds of bacteria collected in a substance. This plaque is a colorless and sticky biofilm on your teeth’ surface, which is the main culprit for your tooth decay. Some of the typically harmful bacteria that can destroy your dental enamel are Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbrinus.
The problem with consuming too much sweetness is that it is eaten up by the bacteria in the plaque. The more sugary foods and drinks you consume without cleaning your teeth regularly, the more bacteria grows and multiplies inside your mouth. What’s worse is that sugar actually helps the bacteria excrete acids onto the surface of your teeth that demineralize your dental enamel, leading to tooth damages. Ultimately, this “acid attack” becomes the main reason for your tooth decay.
How to reduce the effects of sugar on your teeth
Fortunately, there are practical ways to minimize the impact of sugar on your teeth. That said, be sure to follow the simple tips below:
- Understand that the duration of eating sugar has more impact on your teeth than the amount consumed. For instance, chewing bubble gum for hours is more harmful than eating an entire piece of chocolate cake in one sitting.
- Avoid eating starchy foods and sipping sugary beverages for long hours. Better yet, take your snack in one go.
- Reduce your sugar consumption by resorting to alternatives, such as drinking plenty of water instead of soda. For your food, opt for healthy snacks over sweets.
- Be sure to brush your teeth after every meal using fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to floss your teeth as well at least twice a day.
- Visit your family dentist every six months for dental care. Apart from oral prophylaxis, it is vital that you get the necessary dental works as recommended by your dentist.
- Know that prevention is better than cure, especially when it comes to oral care.
Conclusion
At this point, you now have a broader idea about the impact of sugar on your teeth. As it has been proven to rot your teeth, the best way to address this is to limit its intake. Likewise, be sure to follow the valuable tips discussed above to reduce its impact on your oral health.
Furthermore, it’s best to visit your dentist in Chattanooga every six months to check your oral health and get the necessary dental treatments. While you’re at it, get some expert recommendations on how you can take good care of your teeth.
At Shallowford Family Dental Group, our team of experts provides the best dental services with care, such as general, restorative, cosmetic, and pediatric dentistry. If you’re looking for a family dentist in Chattanooga, TN, get in touch with us today to see how we can help!