Sugar Causes Cavities and Destroys Teeth

By Elite Dental Group

You have probably heard it from your elders, that eating sweets can spoil your teeth. It is assumed that sugar is not good for your teeth, but it is not always so. The ancient philosopher observed that sweet foods such as fig can also cause tooth decay, though it not believable. With developments in medicine and science, one thing is unchanged, sugar affects your teeth and causes tooth decay. However, sugar itself cannot be blamed for tooth decay, but the chain of events which happens and that should be blamed. We will help you to learn about sugars effects.

Additionally, we will give you a detailed view of prevention from tooth decay. There are various types of bacteria that exist in our mouth. Some of them are good for your tooth’s health, while some are bad. For instance, research depicts a certain group of bacteria are harmful to your teeth that produce acid whenever they encounter. The effect of this acid removes tooth enamel, a layer of our teeth.

It protects our teeth from bacteria and infections. The good news is that our saliva helps its layer reverse the damage naturally. Our saliva contains phosphate and calcium that helps us to repair enamel. Moreover, the continuous acid attacks on our teeth will lose the minerals in enamel. Over time, the weakness and ruining of enamel will form a cavity. Now, what is a cavity? It is a hole in the tooth which occurs from tooth decay. Due to this, the harmful bacteria will digest the food and release acid in the mouth. If the cavity is left untreated, then it can affect the deeper level of the tooth and cause pain.

Why does sugar cause cavities?

It is understood that eating excessive sugar can cause tooth decay, but not everyone is aware of the impacts. If not cured early, you may see the harmful effects of sugar on teeth. It is not only the sugar that is the culprit, but what happens next. When you consume sugar, it will attract bacteria due to which acid it will secrete. It can destroy the tooth enamel which ultimately affects your teeth. The two main bacteria found in a person's mouth are Streptococcus sorbrinus and Streptococcus mutans.

Both types of bacteria will affect your teeth when you consume sugar, this forms tooth plague. If the teeth are not cleaned with water, then the mouth will become more acidic and cavities will form. With the help of the pH scale, you can measure how basic or acidic a solution is, a pH level of 7 is considered neutral. When the pH level is below normal, then it will start decaying the tooth enamel. Additionally, small holes will begin to form and fill with bacteria. This act can not only affect your teeth, but can ultimately destroy them. If you experience these issues, you should consult with a dentist.

How is sugar bad for your teeth?

Sugar seems harmless, but it may have bad effects on your dental health. These problems can mainly affect people who eat food containing high levels of sugar. Eating excessive sugar may result in gum disease. Once gum disease is affected, it will only increase and affect mouth heath. This may lead to coronary artery disease. In addition to this, overconsumption of sugar may lead to an increased blood glucose level. Eating food with high sugar levels may increase the calories in your body. Although there are no positive outcomes as it has no nutrients.

Consuming large amounts of sugar will not only affect your teeth, but also affect your health. It will cause stress and may disturb your body's hormones. A person may experience anxiety and irritablility due to the excessive consumption of sugar. While high sugar food may taste good, it will surely have bad impacts on your dental health. Take proper care of your teeth to avoid tooth decay. Consulting a doctor is the best solution as ignoring a dental issue only makes it worse. 

Why does sugar ruin your teeth?

Sugar can rot your teeth, despite how happy it makes your taste buds. The sugar that can destroy your teeth contains glucose. It is generally found in brown sugar, corn syrup, honey, etc. You might be thinking, why does it rot your teeth? This happens because excessive sugar generates bacteria which creates acid in the mouth. The consistent attack of acid on your teeth leads to a cavity. As we mentioned earlier, the cavity creates a hole in your teeth and the hole fills with bacteria. This will ultimately cause decay in your tooth.

How to cure or fight tooth decay?

Cutting down sugar will help you improve your dental health. Make sure what you eat and drink are in moderation. Overconsumption of sweets will only spoil your teeth. Apart from this, practicing good oral hygiene can help a lot. It is recommended to brush twice a day and drink plenty of water. It will also help to prevent bad breath. Try to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride as it will safeguard your teeth from bacteria. Lastly, you must visit the dentist every six months to maintain your dental health.