It is hard to avoid sugar, whether you are an adult or a child. Sugar is present naturally in many varieties of fruit, but you can also find fruit in candy, cookies, and even baked bread. How much sugar is too much for your teeth? Here's a guide.
How Does Sugar Harm Your Teeth?
Sugar can cause a lot of damage to your teeth as time goes by. That's because sugar is the main food source for the bacteria that constantly live in your mouth. You need some of the mouth bacteria in order to digest your food. The bacteria in your mouth help to break food down before it enters your stomach.
While you will want some of the bacteria that's in your mouth, if you have too much bacteria, it can be difficult to get rid of. The bacteria will begin to build up on your teeth and gums- and that's not a good thing. Over time, acids in the bacteria can eat away at your teeth, which causes cavities. The same bacteria can cause infections along your gum line and gum disease. The more sugar you eat, the more bacteria you will have in your mouth, and the more likely you are to have problems with cavities and gum disease.
How Much Sugar Is Too Much?
If you have to have sugar, you should know that natural sugars, like those found in fruit, are much better for your teeth than refined sugars found in cakes, cookies, and candy. Also, if the candy you love has sticky parts, such as caramel, those particles stick to your teeth, which makes the bacteria more difficult to remove.
People who have sugar cravings should brush their teeth immediately after eating sugar. That way, you'll be brushing and flossing a lot of bacteria away from your teeth and gums. Drinking water also helps to flush bacteria from your teeth and gums as well. If you are cautious, you'll be able to consume sugar and have healthy teeth.
Location
1739 NE 122nd Ave Portland, OR 97230-1914
Hours
Mondays & Tuesdays: 7 AM - 3 PM Wednesdays & Thursdays: 8 AM - 5 PM Fridays: Closed
Hunter Dental Care, 1739 NE 122nd Ave, Portland, OR 97230-1914 • (503) 256-3737 • hunterdentalcare.com • 9/13/2024 • Related Terms: dentist Portland OR •
It is hard to avoid sugar, whether you are an adult or a child. Sugar is present naturally in many varieties of fruit, but you can also find fruit in candy, cookies, and even baked bread. How much sugar is too much for your teeth? Here's a guide.