Oral health is far more critical to physical health than most people realize. You’ve likely heard that sugar is terrible for your teeth, but do you know why? It can be easier to understand why you should be careful about how much sugar you consume when you know the potential harm you could be causing your body.
Sugar and Bacteria Go Hand in Hand
Our mouths are full of bacteria. Some of it is good for us, but unwanted bacteria also lingers. When we consume sugar and other processed carbohydrates, that harmful bacteria goes into overdrive, releasing acid into the mouth as it digests the sugar itself. The acid produced by the bacteria causes actual damage to your teeth, eroding the enamel and making you more susceptible to cavities.
Plus, the combination of sugar and bacteria isn’t just bad for your teeth. It’s bad for your gums as well. Bad bacteria can also lead to gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums, and a form of gum disease, which can cause painful infections.
Consuming Sugary Foods Causes Plaque Build-Up
Those acids released by bacteria aren’t the only type of acidity your dental hygiene has to contend with. When you give the bad bacteria in your mouth a sugary snack, they also form plaque. If plaque isn’t properly cleaned and removed from your teeth, it will turn acidic, weakening the enamel on your teeth and putting you at greater risk for cavities.
Beware of Sugary Drinks
Consuming sugary drinks is especially harmful to your dental health since many of them are highly concentrated with processed and refined sugars and high fructose corn syrup. (Even watering down sugary beverages can still cause the same effects) These sugary drinks are highly acidic and only serve to add to the acid produced by the bacteria eating away at the sugar. With your mouth coated in the remnants of corn syrup and processed sugar, it is a breeding ground for the existing bacteria and the acid it produces.
To combat this, drinking plenty of water and snacking on crunchy vegetables can rid your mouth of bacteria, chip away at plaque and increase saliva production, which is your body’s natural defense against these dental intruders.
Bubble Dentistry Can Help You Attain Better Oral Health
Better dental hygiene doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The warm, friendly staff at Bubble Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics can walk you through the process in an easy-to-understand and implementable way. Plus, regular teeth cleanings can significantly lower your risk of plaque build-up and gum disease. Call Bubble Dentistry today and take the first step toward improved oral health. You can reach us at (617) 655-9410 or by requesting an appointment on our website.