With Halloween coming up, we thought it would be fun to look at the impact sugar can have on our teeth and overall oral hygiene. It’s common knowledge that an excess of sugar affects your teeth, but even Dr. Stenvall and her team like to indulge occasionally so it’s good to know the facts!
When we eat sugar, the natural bacteria in our mouths begin to eat away the sugar. As sugar is digested by the bacteria it is converted to acids. These acids then contribute to lowering the overall pH of your mouth and your enamel begins to erode. If this process occurs more often over time, soft spots begin to form where the enamel has worn away and eventually cavities begin to form. If left untreated, these cavities can lead to bacteria traveling deeper into your teeth with the potential for pain, infection, and possible tooth loss.
There are certain factors that affect the severity of sugar’s impact on our teeth. One of those is the frequency which you have sugar. If you are sipping on soda throughout the day or munching on candy, there are larger amounts of sugar meeting your teeth more frequently. The specific type of sugar matters as well. Things like soda, juice, and chewy or sticky candies tend to coat your teeth in a layer of sugar more than natural sugars from fruit and other foods.
How can you protect your teeth? The main thing is limiting your sugar intake each day. Another option is to be sure to have water close by when indulging in sodas or other sweet treats. Water can help neutralize the harmful acids and can even wash away leftover food particles until you have a chance to brush. When you do go to brush, make sure to wait at least 30 minutes after ingesting sugar. This helps prevent the sugar and acids from spreading to other areas of your mouth and further damage to any already softened enamel.
Don’t let this deter you from trick-or-treating or enjoying other holiday goodies! Be mindful of your sugar consumption, keep some water close by, and don’t forget to brush your teeth twice a day! You could even stop by and share some of your treats with the team at Queen City Dental Arts – we won’t mind at all!
Give us a call at 704-542-6533 today to learn more about preventive care at home and in our office, and schedule your visit with our dentist in Charlotte, North Carolina!