TRUTH DON'T SUGARCOAT THE
IS SUGAR REALLY THAT BAD FOR YOUR TEETH?
BY DR. MACON SINGLETARY
Halloween – the time when children enjoy the sweet joy of chocolate and gummies, caramel, and taffy (and us parents, too, when we sneak a few treats from their trick-or-treat bags). Thanksgiving – the time we can savor the delicious satisfaction of warm apple and pumpkin pie nibbles. Christmas – the time when cakes and cookies baked with love abound. This time of year is full of fun and festivities, but it’s also a season full of sugar. So what does all this prospective sugar
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intake mean for our oral health?
refined sugars and acids that damage tooth enamel. Added sugar also imbalances the natural proportion of sugar to food, making it harder for the body to combat bacteria-secreted acids. Maintaining your oral health consistently is crucial to combatting oral breakdown. It is imperative to brush your teeth thoroughly to remove sugar. Doing so prevents oral bacteria from acid secretion and plaque formation. Don’t forget to floss too, because brushing only removes 50% of the bacteria from your mouth. And whenever possible, replace sticky, syrupy, and acidic refreshments with foods and drinks containing naturally occurring sugars. This is especially important if you are in a situation like a work event or
t may surprise you to learn that sugar itself is not bad for your teeth. Instead, it is the body’s reaction to sugar that can wreak havoc on your oral health. Sugar feeds oral bacteria that excrete tooth-damaging acids. In fact, studies show that sugar consumption may be the most important risk factor for dental caries (tooth decay). These acids break down important minerals that are supposed to strengthen the teeth, and this demineralization process ultimately causes sensitive teeth, caries, and even tooth loss. Worse, sugar-loving bacteria encases teeth in a slimy film (AKA plaque) to surround and protect itself, allowing this bacteria to multiply unimpeded on the tooth surface. So what can you do to prevent this harmful process? The simplest answer is to eat less sugar. By reducing sugar consumption, you minimize bacteria’s opportunity to begin dissolving tooth enamel. Not every sugar is made equally, however. All sugars – added/refined, glucose, fructose, and lactose – feed oral bacteria to varying extents. Sugars exist in a variety of substances, but added sugars, like those that exist in cakes, candies, and sodas, are worse than natural sugars found in foods such as fruit, bread, and milk. For instance, added sugars found in sticky and slowly-dissolving foods – such as toffee, caramel, and hard candies – cling to the teeth much longer, causing more serious damage. Also, sodas and sugary juices contain massive amounts of
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CIRCA Magazine
| October • November • December 2021
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circamagazine.com
