When you were a kid I’m sure you heard that sugar was going to rot your teeth. But, you were probably never taught why sugar rots your teeth and the process it takes when consumed.
According to Colgate, your teeth are always being attacked by acids. The good news is that the damage is constantly being reversed as well. Acids take minerals through a process called demineralization. Using your saliva, the natural process of remineralization begins to replace the taken minerals to strengthen the teeth. Saliva contains minerals, such as calcium and phosphates, that help repair the teeth. When eating a large amount of sugar, you are unbalancing this process, forcing your teeth to go through demineralization more.
The Effects Of Sugar On Your Teeth
- Tooth decay has a direct correlation with sugar. After eating food that contains high amounts of sugar, these molecules combine with saliva and bacteria present in the mouth. The combination will lead to plaque build-up on the teeth.
- If plaque sits on your teeth it can dissolve into the enamel, which leads to cavities. Cavities are a bacterial infection created by acids, that create holes in your teeth. To control this from happening, brush your teeth as soon as possible after eating.
- Gum disease is a common effect of sugar. Once gum disease starts, and is left untreated, it can advance to periodontitis.
- Periodontitis involves both your gum tissues and the bones beneath your gums. This bacteria travels throughout the body, it can invade joints, connective tissues, and organs including the kidneys, liver, and lungs. They can also cause blood clots that clog arteries.
We Can Help
You can always visit your dentist for a professional cleaning if you’re worried that you’ve been consuming too much sugar. This will help remove any build up of plaque and stop any cavities from forming. We are taking extra precautions to keep our patients and staff sage. Contact Greeley Dental Health today!