The Effects Of Sugar On Your Oral Health

Dentist OKC: Talking About Sugar & Oral Health

When you were a child, your parents probably told you that too much sugar would rot your teeth, right? Our parents did, too! While this may have helped us avoid a lot of stomach aches, it isn’t necessarily true. While sugar is the main cause of tooth decay, it isn’t necessary to completely cut out sugar from your diet. Taking good care of your teeth and seeing your dentist in OKC regularly can help you avoid cavities and tooth decay even with a diet high in sugar (of course, we’re not saying you should go out and gorge yourself on donuts, candy, and soda. Be reasonable with your diet choices). Today, our dentist in OKC is going to dive right in and talk about sugar, tooth decay, and prevention methods.

Sugar and Tooth Decay

Tooth decay happens when the sugars in the foods you eat mix with the bacteria in your mouth and creates an acid that eats away your tooth’s enamel. Once the enamel deteriorates it can be easy for the bacteria to cause further damage such as cavities and tooth loss. Tooth decay can be even more common for those individuals that have poor dental hygiene habits, because they won’t have the protection that those who brush and floss regularly have.

Prevention

Sugar being the main cause of tooth decay can be a scary thought, especially since it is nearly impossible to cut sugar out of your diet completely. Don’t think we’re talking about just candy, here. It’s true that most people think about the less healthy items like cookies, soda, and candy, however; sugar can be found in many healthy food products such as fruit, milk, and bread, as well. Yet, because the sugar needs time to mix with the bacteria the less time it is in your mouth, the less harm it can do.

Drinks that have a lot of sugar such as soda and juice can be the most harmful, because the liquid sits in your mouth longer than a bite of cake. The same goes for candy. Crunchy candy that you will chew and swallow quickly will be better than a lollipop or hard candy that is too hard to bite and needs to sit in your mouth. It is also important to drink plenty of water after you consume sugary foods to help rinse the sugar out of your mouth.

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste is also one of the best ways to fight tooth decay. The fluoride creates a layer over your teeth that is resistant to the acid that the sugar and bacteria creates. If you have a history of cavities, our dentist in OKC may also recommend adding more fluoride products to your dental routine or fluoride treatments.

Maintain Dental Visits

While your oral care routine and diet is your main defense against tooth decay, it is still vital to see a dentist regularly. Our dentist in OKC would be happy to help clear away decay causing bacteria that hides in your mouth. He’ll take his time to see early signs of cavities so that you can take steps to avoid further issues. If you live in the OKC area and have questions about how to prevent tooth decay, please contact us today! If you’d like to book an appointment with our dentist in OKC, please click here or call us @ 405-751-5515.