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How Does Sugar Affect Your Teeth?

What You Need To Know

You may have heard that sugar is bad for your teeth. But what does it actually do to your teeth? In this guide from Mountain View Family Dental, we’ll discuss the basics, and help you understand how sugar affects your teeth.

Sugar Feeds The Bacteria That Cause Tooth Decay & Gum Disease

So, why is sugar bad for your teeth? It’s bad for your teeth because the oral bacteria that live in your mouth thrive when sugar is present. They feed on the sugar and excrete acid after they digest it. This acid slowly erodes your tooth enamel over time, causing cavities.

Sugar also helps encourage the reproduction of oral bacteria, which contributes to a higher risk of both cavities and gum disease.

Both liquid sugar (from soda, tea, cocktails, etc.) and solid sugar (candy, cookies, etc.) are bad for your teeth. Liquid sugar can enter every crack, opening, and crevice in your mouth and feed bacteria, while solid sugar can leave a lot of residue on your teeth.

Sugar isn’t the only culprit, though. Simple carbohydrates like starch (from potato chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, etc) are high in glucose, which is easily processed by bacteria and can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.

Reduce Your Intake Of Sugar & Starch, And Brush After Eating Sugary Or Starchy Foods

To keep your smile healthy and strong and avoid cavities and gum disease, you should make sure you eat a healthy diet. Reduce the amount of sugar and starch you consume, and consider brushing after you consume foods or drinks that have a lot of sugar or starch.

In addition, seeing the team at Mountain View Family Dental for a teeth cleaning and oral exam every six months can help you avoid cavities and gum disease, and ensure that your mouth remains healthy. Contact us now to schedule your next consultation.