Most likely, you were told as a youngster, “Don’t eat sweets, otherwise, your teeth will all rot out.” Perhaps you even stated it if you’re a parent. In actuality, everyone should heed that wise counsel given the harm that consuming too much sugar may do to teeth.
Dental caries develop mostly as a result of the sugars in diet and beverages. Plaque-forming bacteria consume the sugar as fuel and discharge acid as waste, which eventually destroys the enamel of teeth. Bad germs are drawn to sugar like a magnet. Streptococcus sorbrinus and Streptococcus mutans are the two harmful bacteria that may be discovered in the mouth.
Both of them consume sugar from your diet to produce dental plaque, a sticky, white film that develops on the surface of teeth. The environment in the mouth gets more acidic and cavities may begin to form if the plaque is not removed by saliva or brushing.
What Are the Sugar-Containing Foods?
It’s extremely simple to identify the sugars in sweets and candies, but what about the sugar that is concealed? The problem is that some items you would think of as “healthy” or “sugar-free” really contain a lot of sugar. The following list includes some of these food categories:
Low-fat Yogurt. Yogurt has a lot of nutritional value. But not all yogurt is made equally. Low-fat yogurts frequently include added sugar to improve their flavor, much like many other low-fat items
Ketchup. One of the most widely used condiments in the world is ketchup, yet it frequently contains a lot of sugar. Keep in mind that a tablespoon of ketchup has over 1 teaspoon of sugar in it. Although it’s less than some of the other items on our list. If you’re attempting to reduce your intake, ordinary yellow mustard has less than 1 gram of sugar per tablespoon.
Tea. These drinks’ high sugar content not only causes tooth decay but also has various other negative effects on your health. Even carbonation in fizzy beverages labeled “diet-friendly” has a high acidity that is bad for teeth.
Breakfast Cereals. Even while some cereal boxes make promises such as being “sugar-free,” “whole grain,” or “filled with vitamins and minerals,” this does not necessarily guarantee that the cereal lives up to its billing. These slogans are only a component of the manufacturers’ marketing campaigns. In actuality, these morning cereals are more of a sweet confection with little nutritious value. Check the label and attempt to select a cereal that is high in fiber and low in added sugar, or give plain oats precedence over flavored quick oats when making your purchase.
Canned fruit. Natural sugars are present in all fruits. Some fruit in cans, though, is peeled and kept in sweet syrup. This preparation depletes the fruit of fiber and oversugarizes what ought to be a healthful snack. The best fruit is whole, fresh fruit. Choose canned fruit that has been stored in juice rather than syrup if you wish to consume it. Juice contains a little less sugar.
How Do Cavities Form When Consuming Sugary Foods?
Bacteria are everywhere in your mouth. Some are beneficial to the mouth’s inside while others are not. The hazardous bacteria feed on the sugar and starches that you consume, and when they combine forces, they produce acids that can lead to bacterial diseases. Bacterial infections have two possible outcomes:
- They might firstly damage the enamel. These bacterial infections will then develop into cavities if left untreated.
- They penetrate your tooth’s deeper layers, producing a hole that causes discomfort and might lead to tooth loss.
How Does Your Mouth Prevent Cavities?
Acids that cause cavities can attack your teeth at any time. Minerals, however, can repair this harm. Remineralization is a process that draws minerals from your saliva and tooth enamel. It produces minerals like calcium and phosphates, which are both beneficial for strengthening teeth.
How to Remineralize Your Teeth and Protect Them From Sugars?
Use Fluoride. It is a natural mineral that can help in preventing tooth decay and may also reverse it in the early stages.
Drink Lots Of Water. Drinking water is a highly efficient and easy approach to keeping your mouth clean. In addition to keeping you hydrated, water is good for your teeth and gums. Encourage your youngster to drink enough water after meals and in place of sugary drinks because tap water frequently has additional fluoride. This will wash away the harmful germs and acids that they create.
Eat a balanced diet and avoid foods and beverages that are high in sugar. Your dietary choices have a direct impact on your oral health. Sugary meals may appear alluring and temporarily sate your desires, but they can seriously harm your teeth and general health. Consume less sweets and more fresh fruits and veggies.
The bacteria in your mouth work to break down everything sweet you eat or drink. However, they do so while producing acid. Acid damages tooth enamel, which eventually leads to tooth decay. Reduce your intake of high-sugar foods and beverages, especially in the hours before night, to combat this. The greatest approaches to combat tooth decay are to take proper care of your teeth by going to the dentist regularly and have a healthy lifestyle.
