What Does Sugar Do to Your Teeth?

Do you or a loved one have a sweet tooth that’s hard to control? If you answered yes, you aren’t alone! 40 percent of Americans report eating dessert at least twice each week!

Eating too many sugary foods as part of your regular diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies and poor dental health. This can create a challenge for you despite brushing your teeth daily and undergoing routine cleaning.

But the question is: What does sugar do to your teeth?

Attracting Bad Bacteria

Exercising proper dental care is a great way to keep your teeth clean and healthy. You can negate some or all of your efforts by eating sugary foods and/or drinking sugary drinks.

Once sugar enters your mouth, it attracts bad bacteria that can lead to gingivitis. This is a form of gum disease that can cause inflamed gums and can lead to tooth extraction.

Over time, the sugar can cause your gums to move away from the teeth. This creates space between the gums and your teeth where food and other debris can lodge and create issues.

Causing Acidity Changes

Sugary foods and drinks can cause acidity changes in your mouth that have a poor impact on dental health. The natural bacterias in your mouth tend to feed on sugar.

This process causes increased levels of plaque that sticks to your teeth. This can cause bad breath while also creating bigger problems for you later. If not brushed off from your teeth soon after it reaches the surface, it can eat at the enamel and cause cavities.

Contributing to Tooth Decay

Avoid tooth decay and promote oral health by limiting the number of sugary foods and drinks you have regularly. Besides lowering your chances of decay problems later in life, you can also improve your physical health and maintain a healthy weight.

What is an effective way you can avoid having sugar rotten teeth while not cutting out sugar altogether? When you are enjoying the occasional sugary food or drink, be sure to have water nearby.Drinking water after eating something sugary will help to wash the sugar from the surface of your teeth. Just be sure you don’t try to substitute drinking water for brushing!

Are Cavities Caused by Sugar? Yes!

Does sugar cause cavities? Yes, it can over time. Your diet has a big impact on your dental and physical health. That’s because the foods you eat each day will expose your teeth to different kinds of ingredients – both good and bad.

Now that you know the answer to ‘What does sugar do to your teeth?’ you may be seeking to learn more about taking care of them. At the Cleveland Smile Center, we are dental professionals with offices located in Aurora and Cuyahoga Falls.

Our staff is dedicated to providing each client with the individualized treatment they deserve. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you take the best care of your teeth!