You’ve undoubtedly heard that eating too much sugar is not good for your teeth, but you may have never learned exactly why that’s the case. Sugar can cause a range of problems, and it’s important to know how you can prevent these issues and protect your oral health.
Sugar and Tooth Decay
One of the most common ways that cavities develop on your teeth is through sugar. The bacteria in your mouth consume the sugars in the foods you eat and produce acids that can wear away at your tooth enamel. Once the enamel has worn down enough, tooth decay can begin.
Sugar is Everywhere
Sugar can come in many different forms and are present in many of our drinks and foods that we eat. Pay attention to food labels and don’t forget that carbohydrates break down into sugar, too.
How to Protect Your Mouth from Sugar
Some ways to prevent the oral health issues that can be caused by sugar include:
Reduce Your Intake
You don’t need to stop eating sugar altogether, but significantly reducing your intake can make a tremendous difference. If you do consume sugar be sure to brush afterwards and drink plenty of water to help neutralize the acidity in your mouth.
Brush Daily
Brushing your teeth twice a day every day can help remove sugars and other harmful substances from your mouth.
Floss Daily
It’s unfortunate how overlooked the importance of flossing often is. Flossing once a day can remove hard-to-reach food debris and plaque that cause tooth decay and gum disease.Water flossers and brush picks can work very well to clean in between teeth, also.
Fluoride and Sealants
Numerous studies show the benefits from fluoride and sealants to help prevent tooth decay.
Protect Your Oral Health with a Dental Visit
It’s important to see a dentist once every six months for a routine exam and cleaning. Call David W. Piper, DMD, at (727) 548-7100 today to schedule your appointment.
Dr. Piper is a General and Cosmetic Dentist who has proudly served Pinellas County since 1993. Both he and his team of professionals provide high quality, gentle dental care in a relaxed, personalized, and caring environment. Treating patients like family sets his practice apart from others.
