The sweetness that sours your Dental Health

Uncover the impact of sweetness on dental health at Health Chakra. Explore insights to protect your smile from hidden risks!

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How does sugar interact with your teeth?

 

We all love eating candies, toffees and all sorts of sweets in childhood. We crave the cooling sensation of bottled cold drinks. But as we grow up, we realize how these & many other traditional foods & drinks induced with sugar adversely affect our health, causing diseases such as Fatty Liver, Blood Pressure, Dyslipidemia & Diabetes. But have you wondered what it does to your teeth? How it impacts your oral health? In today’s blog, we will break down the harmful effects of sugar consumption on your dental health. So read thoroughly to understand why sugar is bad for your oral health and what you must do about it.

The ground zero of bacteria

 As we constantly generate energy by consuming food & drinks, our mouth acts as the ground zero for the battle between beneficial and harmful bacteria. Studies show that harmful bacteria produce acid in your mouth every time they digest sugar. Each time you consume sugar, these bacteria are generating more and more acid rotting away your teeth. Your saliva safeguards you from this harm, but the acid level is much higher when you are constantly consuming sugar & in such cases, saliva fails to protect your teeth. Back-to-back acid intrusion causes mineral loss in the glossy layer around your teeth called enamel that protects your teeth. Further weakening of enamel due to acid leads to the formation of a cavity.

 

Altering the balance of your mouth with acid

 The two destructive types of bacteria found in the mouth are Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. Both types of bacteria feed on sugar and form plaque, which is the sticky substance dentists clean from your teeth during a routine visit. If this plaque is allowed to sit on your teeth and is not washed away by brushing or saliva, it will eventually become acidic and eat away at the enamel on your teeth.

 

Attracting the bad bacteria

Apart from producing acid that deforms your enamel, sugar gives birth to the tiny bacteria that cause gingivitis and gum disease. Such diseases make your gums move away from your teeth, damaging the protective tissues that hold them in their position.

 

How does solid sugar harm your teeth? 

Sugar is more omnipresent in our diets than we think. On average, there is more sugar in snacks like chips & cookies than in fruits, vegetables, and honey that have natural sugar. Consuming processed foods makes you consume processed white sugar that leaves a trail of sticky residue in your mouth which is stronger than the saliva, causing tooth decay. It is only cleaned by brushing, flossing, mouthwash, and dental cleanings.

 

Ill effects of sugary drinks

Consuming sugary drinks is even more devastating. Apart from its acidity, drinks like soda are loaded with sugar, which causes double trouble to the enamel of your teeth. According to data published in 2014, the risk of forming cavities in our teeth increases by 31 per cent when we drink beverages sweetened with sugar, especially when the drink consists of high-proportioned fructose corn syrup. It is a common substance found in many sodas & sugar-sweetened drinks. Coating your mouth with toxins, fructose corn syrup creates a sticky film all over the mouth, acting as a breeding ground for teeth-rotting bacteria.

 

How to prevent yourself from the bad effects of sugar? 

The first step that you can take towards avoiding sugar damage on your teeth is moderating your consumption of processed foods & drinks or completely giving it up. Foods like candy, ice cream, potato chips, pre-packaged snacks, and soda consist of enormous amounts of processed sugar, overwhelming our mouths with acid-producing bad bacteria.

 Munching on healthy snacks like nuts, cheese, and leafy greens not only makes your teeth stronger but provides you with a lot of fibre. Veggies like carrots and celery remove plaque & bacteria from your mouth naturally. Drinking enough water after your meals clean your teeth from bacteria and food particles.

 

Protect your beautiful smile by taking care of your oral health. If you are troubled with cavities or any of the issues discussed above, contact Health Chakra, Pune’s leading Dental Health Clinic that will protect your smile wherever you are, whenever you want.