Too much sweetness will rot out your teeth! Do you know that consuming excessive quantities of sugar can cause tooth decay which can be detrimental to your health? And if you've ever been to the dentist, you know that sugar can harm your teeth and oral health.
The food and beverages you have daily contain sugar, so it is essential to understand consuming sugar can give rise to some severe dental problems like cavities.
How do Cavities develop in your teeth?
Did you know that your mouth contains bacteria? All the food (energy) and beverages (hydration) you consume enter your body through your mouth as a battleground for beneficial and detrimental bacteria. Numerous studies have demonstrated that some harmful bacteria produce acid in the mouth when they digest sugar. This means that each time you consume sugar, these bacteria produce more acid that erodes your teeth.
Your saliva protects against this damage, but when you consume a lot of sugar, there is more acid that your saliva cannot manage alone. Repeated acid attacks on your teeth cause a mineral loss in the enamel, damaging the polished, protective layer surrounding your teeth. This acid gradually erodes and destroys the enamel, creating a cavity.
In addition, these harmful bacteria feed on sugar and carbohydrates, producing acids that can lead to bacterial infections. The effects of bacterial infections are twofold. Initially, they can erode the enamel (shiny outer layer of your tooth). If left untreated, these bacterial infections will develop into deeper cavities.
How to minimize the effects of sugar on your teeth?
One of the best ways to reduce sugar intake is an excellent starting point. Here are some additional methods to promote remineralization and strengthen tooth enamel:
- Chew sugar-free gum and consume high-fiber vegetables and fruits to stimulate salivation. It aids in saturating teeth with minerals.
- Calcium and phosphates strengthen dentition, so continue to consume dairy products.
- Limit sugar intake and avoid drinking carbonated beverages like soft and energy drinks.
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after having food.
- Do not forget to brush your teeth after consuming sweet foods, using Oclean Smart Toothbrush will be more effortless and more effective.
- Avoid having candies and replace that with alternative fruits.
- Consider chewing sugar-free gum, which can reduce inflammation and help prevent tooth decay.
- Reduce your intake of carbohydrates, as they are converted to sugar in the mouth.
- Use toothpaste containing fluoride, which helps to build enamel.
- Regular flossing eliminates plaque and reduces hazardous bacteria between teeth.
Lastly, it would help if you visit your dentist twice yearly to maintain healthy teeth and gums. If your dentist identifies any traces of a cavity in its earliest phases, it can be treated at the earliest stage without causing irreversible injury to your dentin.
