At a very young age, adults and dentists alike would tell us to stay away from sugar and sweets. Although they’re incredibly delicious and indulging, consuming significant amounts of processed sugar can cause great damage to your teeth, such as tooth decay. 

The common misconception about tooth decay is that eating sugar causes teeth to erode and form cavities. Unfortunately, that isn’t correct, and the real effects happen inside your mouth after consuming sugary desserts. 

If you’re curious about what sugar can do to your teeth, keep reading. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about how sugar can affect your teeth. Let’s get to it!

Increase in plaque build-up

One of the most regular occurrences in your mouth is plaque build-up. This happens mostly when you don’t practice proper oral hygiene. When you eat something and don’t brush your teeth right away, you encourage the build-up of plaque. This will then attract bacteria to not feed on the sugar itself but on the plaque that’s developing around your mouth. 

Plaque build-up also depends on the rate of how you consume your food and drinks. For example, when you chug on a bottle of soda, it’s less damaging than sipping on it throughout the day. 

Bacteria feed on sugar and harm your teeth

Your mouth houses hundreds of bacteria. While some of these bacteria are relatively beneficial, others can pose potential dental risks. These harmful bacteria will latch on the sugar and carbohydrates inside your mouth and generate acids that damage your teeth’s enamels. 

Because of these acid-generating, sugar-eating bacteria, bacterial infections and cavities are formed. On the surface, they’ll look like black spots or holes. Without proper treatment, such as dental filling, you may experience tooth loss and tooth pain. 

Bacteria weakens your teeth’s defences

Since bacteria secrete acids, they stick to the enamels of your teeth and eat their minerals, making them weak and more sensitive to tooth decay and tooth loss. This process is known as demineralization.

Thankfully, if you practice good oral hygiene, your teeth can reverse these effects through remineralization and replacing stolen minerals, making your teeth healthy again. 

However, even if your mouth has natural defences to help protect and strengthen your teeth, it’s still best to limit the number of sugars you consume. You can do this by getting enough fluoride protection through dental products and getting regular clean-up sessions from your dentist. 

Conclusion

The best way to battle against cavities and tooth decay is by practicing preventative measures through proper and strict oral hygiene habits. Now that you know the bad effects of sugar on your teeth, it’s best that you limit your sugary food consumption and up your dental hygiene game. With the help of regular visits to your dentist, you’ll get to treat dental issues right away and save your teeth from cavities and decays. 

Are you looking for a dentist in Markham, Ontario? Nasser Dentistry can help you with your dental needs. We are a family-owned dental clinic that offers exceptional dental services like cosmetic dentistry, implants, dentures, and more. Book an appointment with us today!