Having a sweet tooth isn’t a big problem, but not cleaning your teeth after it is. Just like you like sugar, so do the germs that live in your mouth. If you have a sweet tooth, regular visits to your dentist are recommended to keep your oral hygiene up to the mark and free of any cavities.
Is Sugar Bad for Teeth?
Since childhood, you are told to eat limited sugary and sweet foods or to brush your teeth after you eat sweets. Why? Because sugar is bad for teeth.
Eating sugar or sweets is not the problem. It’s the carelessness that ensues after it which causes damage and cavities. Teeth whitening can restore your teeth’s natural whiteness, but it becomes a problem once your teeth have cavities.
Your teeth are made of calcium and have a protective layer on them which is called enamel. When you eat sugar or sweetened foods, this enamel is damaged by a chain of activities in your mouth.
Sugar causes cavities in your mouth. How?
What Are Cavities?
Cavity, in simple words, means hollow space. In terms of your mouth, it means your teeth are damaged.
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Don’t worry. Not all of them are bad. Some of them are good too. But when you eat sugar or sweets, these bad bacteria feed on it. They eat sugar and carbohydrates. It creates acid, which is harmful to the tooth enamel. Your teeth start turning yellow. With time, it results in cavities, i.e., small holes in teeth. Cavities, once created, cause severe pain and even tooth loss.
How Sugar Affects Your Teeth?
Sugar affects your teeth in many ways. The type of food you eat dictates the wellness of your teeth.
Here are some of the bad effects of sugar on your dental health.
It Produces Harmful Acid
Sugary foods and their carbohydrates are sticky, and they leave a residue on your teeth. Saliva isn’t able to clean it. You need brushing and flossing. But if you don’t brush twice a day, it is possible that you might sleep with a sugary coat on your teeth. The more your teeth are exposed to the sugar particles, the more harmful acids are produced, and the more your teeth suffer from sugar.
It Generates Bad Bacteria
To fight the bad bacteria, you must brush your teeth twice a day. While good bacteria protect your teeth, bad bacteria are the culprits who create harmful acid which destroys your tooth enamel. And not just enamel, these bacteria cause gingivitis. The smaller problems lead to bigger ones like gum disease which can even lead to tooth loss.
It Causes Yellow Teeth
When you frequently eat sugary foods, and your bad bacteria becomes active and more than tolerable, your teeth are affected. More sugary foods mean more bacteria and acids and more enamel loss. It results in yellow teeth.
More Cavities
Sugary drinks have a devastating effect on your teeth. First, many of these are carbonated. They make your teeth brown. Second, they are acidic, which means more acid in your mouth and more harm to your teeth. Even proper brushing and flossing can’t help once you have cavities because they are a permanent abode of tooth problems.
To avoid such dental problems, it is advised that you visit your dentist in chandler every six months.
Which Sugar Rich Foods Can Harm Your Teeth?
Sugar can dim the shine of your beautiful smile and teeth. There are several sugar-loaded food items that can cause teeth damage. Teeth whitening is a great way to save your smile’s shine, but the primary way is to cut down on these foods.
High-Sugar Snacks
Packed foods are high in sugar content. Potato chips, candy, caramel, muffin and cake mixes, packaged fruits, instant mixes, smoothies, cakes, cookies, etc.
Sticky Foods
Are you in love with candies and lollipops? Are caramel candies your weakness? They will make your teeth even weaker. Tootsie rolls, caramels, lollipops, gums, etc., are sticky foods, and you should eat them in moderation.
Sugary Beverages
Coffee, sodas, beer, alcohol, tea, fruit drinks, sports drinks, protein drinks, milkshakes, etc., are all sugary beverages. Drinking too much of these beverages is harmful for teeth.
How To Fight Harmful Effects of Sugar?
Endnote
Sugar is unavoidable in daily life. You eat natural sugar in fruits and vegetables and nuts, which is fine. But then there is artificial white sugar, which is damaging. To avoid the damage, you must take proper care of your teeth. To keep your teeth shiny and white, brush twice daily, especially after eating sugary food items. You can also opt for teeth whitening and polishing procedures for a beautiful white smile. Visit your nearest dentist in Chandler to learn more about dental care.