The Truth About Sugar and Your Teeth
Most everyone likes to enjoy a dessert, piece of candy, or other type of sweet every once in a while. Some people like to enjoy them much more often. From the time we were children, we’ve been conditioned to crave these sugary foods. Many of us have been given sugary sweets as a reward. Advertising has constantly shown us pictures of tempting sweets and at the grocery store, sweets are in bright, colorful displays – often right at eye-level for kids.
While we may love sugar, there’s another side of it. When you eat sugar – especially refined sugar – you’re raising your risk for many different health problems, obesity and diabetes prime among them. recently the sugar industry has worked hard to try and push the dangers to eating fats. While eating excess fat may bring with it health issues, that doesn’t mean that sugar is healthy to eat in high doses. But just how bad is it really? Read on to learn why California Dental Group recommends moderating your intake of sugar.
Plaque loves sugar more than you do
However much you love sugar, you can bet that plaque likes it more. In fact, there are many different bacteria in your mouth that literally eat sugar. The more sugar there is, the more they thrive. After they eat the sugary film left in your mouth, the sugars and the bacteria combine to create a sticky film that stays on your teeth. You likely know this by the name of plaque. Plaque then releases acid after it eats the sugar, and that acid creates a number of problems on its own.
More sugar equals more tooth decay
Most people know this one – if you eat more sweets, then you’re likely going to have more tooth decay. This is caused by plaque building up on your teeth. As time goes on, it hardens and turns into tarter. Then the acids we discussed above, the ones that come from bacteria, start to actually eat the enamel of your teeth. Remember that your enamel has one job: Protecting your teeth. If it’s not able to do that, then you’re likely to end up with cavities.
Sugar increases your chance of gum disease
Sugar can also increase your chances of getting gum disease and can make it worse if you already have it. The bacteria we’ve been discussing, combined with their plaque and their acid friends, irritate the tissue around your gums. This can lead to your gums becoming puffy, inflamed, and bleeding. Once that happens, it’s easy for the next step to be gum disease.
Does this mean you should never eat sugar?
Of course not. the reality is that most people are going to eat sugar and many are going to eat it every day. At California Dental Group we suggest that you try to moderate it. We also suggest that you brush your teeth after eating sugar. If you don’t have a toothbrush handy, sugar-free gum can be effective to get the sugar off your teeth quickly. Finally, make sure that you’re getting regular dental exams and cleanings so we can keep your teeth and gums healthy.
