Sugar Has Bad Effects on the Health of Your Teeth

Growing up, you likely heard a version of this warning: “That sugar will rot your teeth right out of your mouth!” And it probably didn’t help that when you were five or six, sugar made you way too hyper to deal with. But your parents, grandparents, and guardians weren’t lying – sugar really is bad for you, and in a lot of ways besides just your teeth.

But at Beckham Square Family Dental, we’re concerned about your oral health. Therefore, let’s focus on one of the most significant dangers to your teeth: consuming too much sugar.

Why Sugar Is So Harmful to Teeth

Your mouth is full of bacteria that need sugars to grow and multiply. Sugar and bacteria combine to create acids that eat away at the tooth’s enamel and eventually cause cavities. Untreated cavities eventually require seeing your Cincinnati dentist for tooth extractions, or worse, root canals.

We can’t eliminate all the foods that feed the bacteria in your mouth, because some of them include healthy carbs, starches, and other foods we need to live. In the meantime, your body is constantly trying to remineralize your teeth or repair the enamel damaged by your diet. However, too much sugar will overcome your body’s remineralizing processes and cause permanent damage.

Therefore, help your body help you by eating healthy, brushing and flossing each day, and thinking twice before you eat that extra piece of cake.

Combat Sugar with a Healthy Diet

The crazy thing about maintaining a diet in the industrialized world is that nearly every food product you buy contains some form of processed sugar. But you should be mindful of eating fresh, unprocessed foods and limiting your sugar intake. Here are things you can do to combat sugar and reduce your consumption of it:

• Be wary of “fat-free” foods. They still contain traces of fat, and some of these products compensate for the lack of fat’s flavor by adding extra sugar.
• Manage sugar at breakfast. Most breakfast cereals contain added sugar, so consider switching to a low- or no-added-sugar cereal. You’ll be less likely to have unhealthy snacks throughout the day.
• Capitalize on whole fresh foods. Eating a strawberry or a banana whole is better than grinding them up into a smoothie because leaving fruit intact doesn’t release as many sugars, which can coat your teeth.
• Keep water handy. Taking those occasional sips of water throughout the day helps flush out the sugars that otherwise settle between teeth.
• Go to bed early. Staying up late makes you more likely to skip bedtime brushing. It also exposes you to the temptations of late-night snacking.

Professional Dental Care to Protect Your Smile

Understanding how sugar harms your teeth is a key step toward better oral health. With regular checkups and professional cleanings from Beckham Square Family Dental, you can prevent sugar-related dental issues, even if you indulge in the occasional sweet treat. Contact us today to see how we can help you manage sugar intake and achieve your oral health goals.