How Sugar Affects Teeth

Everyone knows sugar is bad for your teeth.

Ever since we were kids, we have been told that sugar will harm our teeth and give us cavities. While this is very true, what exactly is it that sugar does that negatively affects our teeth?

Always remember to consult your Fort Lupton dentist at Firestone Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for the best approach to your children's dental health.

Let's discuss how sugar affects teeth in detail.

How Sugar Affects Teeth

Our mouths are filled with bacteria, and this is normal, even for healthy people with great teeth and excellent dental hygiene. Some of these bacteria are good, while some of them are bad. The harmful bacteria feed on starch from sugar and carbohydrates to develop acid that may turn into bacterial infections in our mouths.

These bacterial infections can harm your tooth enamel, which is the outer protective layer of your teeth. If left unchecked, they can make their way into the deeper layers and create cavities in your teeth. These cavities can then cause a toothache, or worse, tooth loss.

How to Protect Your Teeth

All teeth can become victim to bacterial infections, but luckily, there are ways to avoid this and keep your dental health in check. In a process called remineralization, your tooth enamel and saliva produce minerals like phosphate and calcium to strengthen your teeth.

This is why consuming calcium-rich dairy products and high-fiber raw veggies are great for promoting remineralization and naturally cleaning your teeth from chewy veggies. Moreover, using a fluoride toothpaste can also help because fluoride is a mineral known to prevent and reverse early tooth decay.

Wrapping Up

All in all, eat less sugar, maintain your calcium and phosphate intake and brush with an approved fluoride toothpaste regularly to maintain dental health and avoid sugar-related problems.

To learn more about how sugar affects teeth or to get the best dental consultation for your children's dental health and wellbeing, visit your Fort Lupton dentist at Firestone Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Firestone, CO.