How sugar affects your teeth and how to fix it

How sugar affects your teeth and how to fix it

 

How sugar affects your teeth and how to fix it

Although we don’t want to admit it, everybody is aware that sugar is bad for both your oral health and overall health. 

However, it is not necessarily sugar itself that is bad for your teeth but rather, the consumption of excessive amounts of sugar. Something that many people don’t realise is that we are all consuming much more sugar than we think. 

Here are the ways daily sugar consumption is affecting your teeth

Your mouth is full of several types of bacteria; some good and some bad for your dental health. However, when you consume sugar, it attracts harmful bacteria and produces acids. 

These sugar-driven acids remove minerals on the tooth enamel which is the outer protective layer of your teeth. The recurrent consumption of sugar over time ends up attacking, weakening, and ultimately destroying the enamel which poses the risk of tooth decay and then cavities. 

If this process is neglected or left untreated, cavities can end up spreading, causing painful gum disease and possible tooth loss. 

Sugar fueled daily habits

Sugar can be found in more foods and drinks than you realise, even products claiming to be healthy, such as sports drinks, contain high amounts of sugar. 

The goal is not to eliminate sugar from your diet completely – but rather kick the habits that are promoting tooth decay. These are habits that allow sugar to attack your teeth for long periods of time without counterattack. These unhealthy habits include:

High-sugar snacks

Repeated snacking on high-sugar foods means that your teeth are exposed to the harmful acids for longer, increasing the risk for tooth decay. Some snacks to often avoid are: 

  • Lollies
  • Potato chips
  • Granola 
  • Biscuits 
  • Pastries

Sipping on acidic/sugary drinks

One of the most common sources of hidden sugar, and the biggest culprits of causing tooth decay, are drinks! In addition to sugar, all these drinks also contain high levels of harmful acids. Look out for drinks such as: 

  • Soft drinks
  • Energy drinks
  • Fruit juices

Sticky foods

Stickier foods are the long-lasting sources of sugar and harmful bacteria. This is because these foods are held in your mouth for longer, gradually releasing sugar and giving the harmful bacteria more time to produce more acid. These foods include:

  • Hard candies
  • Breath mints
  • Sugary chewing gum
  • Lollipops

How to protect your teeth

Maintaining good oral health and preventing tooth decay is all about implementing good habits and eliminating bad habits. Now that you know the effects of sugars on your teeth as well as your general health, here are some good habits to pick up that help prevent sugar from taking over. 

 

  • Drink water – Water helps flush out your mouth and rinse away sugary snack residue.
  • Avoid snacking or sipping drinks for prolonged periods of time – Or when you do, make sure to drink water throughout and brush your teeth after. 
  • Brush your teeth – Brushing at least twice per day for two minutes will help clean your teeth of all that bad bacteria and acid. 
  • Cut down on sugar – Cutting down on sugar will also help you maintain regular levels of energy, maintain a healthy weight, and keep your skin clear. 

 

Avenge the sugar

There is nothing worse than toothaches, tooth sensitivity, or having to get a cavity filled! So, if you are ready to avenge the sugar and get on top of your dental health before it’s too late, book an appointment with our friendly team at Somerset Dental Care Narellan. We will also be able to give you helpful tips based on your lifestyle, on ways in which you can incorporate healthier practices into your routine. 

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