We all love eating sweets, but did you know the hidden dangers of eating sweets? Do sugary foods actually hurt your teeth? Your oral health can suffer in a number of ways from eating sweets, including tooth decay and cavities, erosion, sensitivity, and gum disease. The good news is that it’s easy to take steps to protect your teeth from the damage caused by sugar!
Sugar can affect your health
Sugar is a major part of most people’s diets, but not just because we enjoy it. It’s added to many items to increase their sweetness or flavor. Foods and drinks with added sugar are everywhere, from candy bars to lattes. We have been conditioned to crave sugar and consume it in vast quantities without realizing the damage it does. Over time, excess sugar has damaging effects on your teeth and body, like Type 2 diabetes. The best thing you can do for your health is to be mindful of how much sugar you’re consuming.
Sugar weakens tooth enamel
Sugar is a popular indulgence for many people, but some don’t realize the danger it poses to their oral health. By eating foods that are high in sugar or acidity (such as candy, fruit juice, and even certain vegetables), you put your tooth enamel at risk. Your tooth enamel is essentially an extra layer on top of your teeth that protects them from bacteria and acidic foods. When sugars are repeatedly consumed, they cause acids to form on your teeth’s surface, which erodes away the protective layer of tooth enamel. This process can happen so gradually that by the time you’re aware of any problems, extensive damage has already been done.
Sugar makes cavities grow bigger
What many people don’t know is that eating too much sugar makes cavities grow bigger. The bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar and make acids that eat away at the tooth enamel, eventually causing a cavity. Too much sugary food causes your teeth to age prematurely, leaving them less protected against decay and more susceptible to acid erosion. So, if you want to avoid having sensitive teeth, or worse- dental issues later in life- cutting back on sugar intake is a good idea.
Sugar affects oral bacteria in your mouth
Dental health is one of the best indicators of general health. Not only can dental problems have a significant impact on your daily life, but they are often linked to systemic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. And according to some studies, periodontal (gum) disease increases your risk for stroke, cardiovascular disease, and preterm delivery. So it’s important to know that sugar can affect not just your teeth but also your entire body.
Tooth decay starts when harmful bacteria from foods like fruit juice, raisins, and soda stick to the surface of your teeth and form plaque— which slowly eats away at the enamel coating on the tooth.
Sugar can cause gingivitis
Eating too many sugar-laden foods can lead to a higher risk for things like dental cavities, gingivitis, and tooth loss. This is because these sugary substances feed the growth of oral bacteria in your mouth that causes plaque buildup and gum disease. The more sugar you eat and drink, the more likely you are to experience these problems.
This is why it’s important to avoid sodas and other high-sugar drinks as well as candies, chocolates, cakes, pies, ice cream, cookies, and other types of sweetened desserts that might do the most damage to your teeth when eaten in excess.
It’s not too late to stop sugar damage
Sugar has been found to be one of the largest factors in tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugar, and it becomes easy for plaque to form, which can result in a cavity. You don’t have to stop consuming sugar altogether. However, making small changes like swapping out sugary drinks with water or adding a few more fruits and vegetables into your diet can help decrease the frequency with which you crave sugar.
