Oral health is not only about dental visits and regularly brushing and flossing your teeth but goes beyond that. Well, the most significant factor affecting your oral health to a great extent is your diet.
Most people find sugar to be the real culprit behind tooth decay but in reality, it is not the sugar that is to be blamed but the events that take place afterward.
Let us learn more about how sugar affects your dental health and how you can prevent tooth decay.
Reasons Why Sugar is Bad For Your Teeth
Unstable blood glucose
Sugar not only causes tooth decay but also causes unstable blood glucose. Consuming simple sugars can cause an increase in blood sugar levels. An excessive change in blood glucose levels can make you feel tired and unwell.
Eating more sugar can make you feel good for the time being but it will make your blood glucose levels unstable.
Tooth Decay
The most significant effect of eating sugar is tooth decay. After eating foods having sugar, these molecules end up combining with saliva and bacteria in the mouth which in turn leads to plaque on the teeth.
Plaque on teeth can dissolve enamel and lead to cavities. These are the tooth decay symptoms you need to pay heed to. The key to controlling plaque and bacteria on teeth is to brush as soon as possible after having sugar.
Gum Disease
Consuming too much sugar or foods containing sugar can also lead to gum disease. Gum disease if left untreated can advance to periodontitis. The bacteria present in the periodontitis can spread to other parts of the body as well affecting your overall health.
Besides this, gum disease can also lead to coronary artery disease that can cause blood clots. The only way to get it fixed is to visit the cosmetic dentist in Berwick and get your gum disease treated right away.
Dietary Habits That Cause Tooth Decay
There are food habits that you may not know but those might be causing you tooth decay. Let us have an insight into the dietary habits that cause tooth decay.
Consuming high-sugar snacks
Eating high-sugar snacks is the number one cause of tooth decay. The studies conducted on this have revealed that frequent consumption of sweets and sugary drinks leads to cavities. It increases the time your teeth are exposed to the dissolving effects of various acids.
A recent study conducted in a school revealed that children eating potato chips and sugar cookies are more likely to develop tooth decay and cavities than others.
Eating sticky foods
People eating sticky food such as hard candies, lollipops, and mints are also likely to get tooth decay. It is because these foods tend to be retained in your mouth for a longer period which gives plenty of time to the bacteria to digest sugar and produce acid.
Besides this, eating processed food like potato chips, tortilla chips, and flavored crackers can also increase your risk of developing cavities.
Sugary beverages
If you have a habit of sipping sugary beverages, it is time to let go of that habit. Sipping on sugary beverages frequently increases your risk of cavities and tooth decay leading to bad oral health.
The reason is simple. Sipping sugary beverages exposes your teeth to sugar for a longer time and gives bacteria the time to do the damage.
Wrapping Up
You must have come to know how bad sugar is for your dental and overall health. Eliminating sugar from your diet might not be possible but being mindful regarding the foods you have and resorting to good dental practices will ensure you a great smile. Book your consultation with our experienced dentist for tooth decay treatment in Berwick.