Dental caries, often known as tooth decay or dental cavities, has become a serious global public health concern due to the rising use of sweets. Dental caries rated first for permanent teeth (affecting 2.3 billion people worldwide) and twelfth for milk teeth (affecting 560 million children worldwide) in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. In this article, we will talk about the impact of sugar on teeth as emphasized by a family dentist in Lakeview, Chicago.

In addition to causing pain and suffering, tooth decay can result in infection, swelling, and trouble chewing. If left untreated. The need for significant care or tooth extraction might negatively affect a person’s quality of life. The high expense of repairing dental cavities adds to the pressure on one’s finances.

Acid Attack

When you eat a lot of sugar, your saliva cannot neutralize the excess acid. The enamel, the glossy, protective covering that surrounds your teeth, loses minerals as a result of the recurrent acid attacks on your teeth. This acid erodes and damages the enamel over time, creating cavities.

Sugar alters the mouth’s acidity.

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are the two harmful species of bacteria that are present in the mouth. Both kinds of bacteria produce plaque, the sticky buildup that dentists remove from your teeth on a regular basis. Plaque is formed when bacteria feed on sugar. This plaque will ultimately turn acidic and eat away at your teeth if it is left on your teeth and is not removed by saliva or brushing.

Effects of Sugary Drinks

Sugar-filled beverages can cause dental decay which is much worse than sugar-filled meals. In addition to the acids that sugar produces, many drinks, such as soda, also include acidity that is harmful to your teeth. A 2014 research from Finland found that having one or two sugar-sweetened drinks per day was associated with a 31% increased risk of tooth decay.

Effects of Solid Sugar

We do not realize that sugar is present in foods other than just desserts. In addition to conventional foods like chips and cookies, you may also receive sugar from natural sources including fruits, vegetables, and honey. Foods high in white processed sugar can be especially harmful to your teeth because they leave behind a sticky residue that is too strong for your saliva to remove. Cleanings, mouthwash, flossing, and brushing are the only ways to get rid of this buildup. 

Sugar, although a very tempting delicacy, is harmful to your oral health and systemic bodily functions. Therefore, it is best to consume it in moderation and always brush your teeth after having it.