What Are The Effects Of Sugar On Teeth?
Have you ever wondered about the impact of added sugar on your teeth? If so, you are not alone. Sugar has become a big topic of conversation. We hear all the time about how added sugars impact our health, including weight gain and increased risk for diabetes. However, we don’t talk so much about how added sugar impacts our oral health and causes tooth decay.
The effects of sugar on our teeth shouldn’t be excluded from the discussion, which is why Artistic Touch Dentistry wants you to know how sugar can negatively impact the health of our teeth. Our family dentist cares about the health of you and your family, which is why we want you to know the effects that added sugar has on you.
What Does Added Sugar Do To your oral Health?
Added sugar is in many of the foods and drinks that are found in the normal daily diet of Americans. Often times, we don’t even realize it. It has become a staple of our everyday lives. Everything from bread to drinks, yogurt, and desserts contain added sugar. Sugar isn’t always labeled as sugar, there are many other names given to it, which is why it’s so hard to know when it’s hiding in our food. Knowing the effects of sugar can help motivate us to be aware and learn ways we can better care for ourselves.
Sugar and Your Teeth
We already know that sugar has negative consequences for our overall health and weight, but did you know that sugar is also responsible for many of the issues we have with our teeth? Understanding the impact that it has on our teeth can help mitigate some of the issues we see in our dental health. The impacts of sugar are two-fold. Sugar is acidic, which means it can dissolve tooth enamel because of it’s low pH level. This leaves teeth vulnerable. Sugar also feeds the bacteria that live in our mouths. This combination leads to tooth decay, which ends up causing cavities.
Sugar isn’t just bad for our teeth, it’s also bad for our gums. The build-up of sugar eating bacteria on our teeth, combined with plaque, can lead to gingivitis. This has the potential to cause more serious gum disease, better known as periodontitis, if left untreated. Some signs people with tooth decay or gum disease might notice are tooth pain, sensitivity, color changes, or bad breath.
Avoiding Sugar Products
Avoiding added sugar is a lofty task, and for many, not very probable. That is why knowing how to properly care for your teeth is so important in fighting the negative effects of sugar. The best thing you can do is brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes each time and flossing. This will help you to get the plaque at the base of the teeth and along the gum line to protect your gums against gingivitis. Having regular dental teeth cleaning is another important step in ensuring your teeth are as healthy as they can be.
Protect Your Mouth From The Destruction Of Added Sugars
Our Dentist at Artistic Touch Dentistry in Melbourne, FL has the experience and knowledge to help you fight the effects that added sugar has on your teeth and gums. Having regular dental exams allows for experienced dentists to exam the state of your oral health. They will check for any signs of tooth decay, cavities, or gum disease. Additionally, they will check for plaque build-up and signs of any other oral diseases. Once the exam is complete, you will get a thorough dental cleaning which will remove any of the build-up found. Our Melbourne Florida dentists strive to provide excellent dental care for your whole family in a friendly and welcoming environment. Call us today to schedule your next visit! 321.724.1400