Thousands of years ago, in the 3rd century BCE, the Greek philosopher Aristotle stated that eating foods that were sweet contributed to tooth decay. Sadly, no one believed him then. It was only with the advent of modern dentistry and an understanding of the basics of oral hygiene that the connection between the sugars that make foods sweet and tooth decay and the development of cavities was established. It is not the sugar that is the issue here, it is how the bacteria in the mouth react when they come into contact with the sugar.
Your Mouth Is a Battlefield
Your mouth contains bacteria. Some of the bacteria are beneficial to your dental health and digestion and some are harmful. Among the harmful bacteria are those that produce acid when they come into contact with sugar. You will not feel the presence of this acid, but it will gradually remove various minerals which are necessary to keep tooth enamel strong. The saliva in your mouth contains minerals that work to reverse the damage to the enamel, as do the ingredients in your toothpaste. However, if you consume too much sugar, then the protection that your saliva and good oral hygiene provide is not enough. This is when you are at risk of tooth decay and cavity formation.
In addition to cavities, it has been established that excess sugar can contribute to the development of gum disease which could turn into periodontitis which weakens the gums and the bones that the teeth are anchored to. Both cavities and gum disease can contribute to bad breath which besides being unpleasant for the person suffering from it, is a leading cause of ruined personal and professional relationships as no one wants to be near a person with bad breath.
Your smile is a reflection of your personality and it is the image you present to the world. Any damage to the teeth affects your smile and so impacts your image.
What Is a Cavity?
A cavity, to put it simply, is a hole in the enamel that forms the outer shell of a tooth. If the cavity is not filled in time, the hole becomes so deep that the nerves in the tooth are exposed leading to the extreme pain that a toothache causes. If the damage is very severe, the tooth itself may break and either fall out or require extraction.
Signs of Weak or Damaged Tooth Enamel
Any sensitivity of the teeth, either intermittent or continuous, could be a sign of weak enamel and incipient cavity development. Other signs include:
- Toothache
- Pain when chewing food
- Toothache when hot or cold food or drinks are consumed
- Visible damage to a tooth
- Discoloration of part or whole of a tooth
- Bad breath
Also Read: Diabetes and Gum Health
Decreasing the Effects of Sugar on Your Teeth
If you have had a toothache, you know how painful and immobilizing it can be. If you have escaped cavity problems till now, ask a friend who has suffered a toothache about how painful it was. Reducing the tooth damage that sugar consumption causes is not difficult. To minimize the chances of cavities developing you should:
- Limit your consumption of sweet sugary foods. This applies not only to regular meals but also to the sweet snacks between meals.
- Avoid excessive tea and coffee consumption. When these drinks are consumed, keep the amount of sugar added to them to a minimum. Over time, your body and tastebuds will adapt to the reduced sweetness and you will not notice the reduced amount of sugar.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day, if possible after meals, to flush out residual sugar trapped in your mouth.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush away the food residue trapped between the teeth, to keep your mouth moist and to aid in the production of the saliva that protects your teeth.
- Reduce the consumption of foods that have a high carbohydrate content because the carbs start to turn into sugar in the mouth.
- Practice good oral hygiene including regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and regular flossing to remove the food residue, plaque and bacteria trapped between the teeth.
All the precautions you take only reduce the possibility of developing cavities. There is no guaranteed way of preventing them. The best way to avoid tooth decay is by following a good oral hygiene regimen. In addition, you should ensure that you visit your dentist regularly – once every 6 months or as frequently as the dentist advises. This will allow for any tooth decay/cavities or other dental problems to be spotted at an early stage when treatment is most effective and fast. Dental cavities are not a life-threatening condition, but the pain and discomfort that result can make it impossible for you to go about your normal activities until the condition is treated. Depending on the severity of the problem, that could take multiple time-consuming visits to the dentist.
An infection that starts from a cavity could spread to other parts of the body requiring not just dental treatment but also other areas and types of medical care.
Keep your mouth free from the pain and problems caused by cavities with regular visits to a reputed dental clinic where highly qualified and experienced dentists and the latest medical technology and equipment are available to give you the world-class dental care and protection you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does sugar cause cavities?
Sugar interacts with harmful bacteria in the mouth, producing acid that erodes tooth enamel and leads to cavities.
2. What are the signs of a cavity?
Common signs include tooth sensitivity, toothache, pain when chewing, visible damage or discoloration, and bad breath.
3. How can I prevent cavities from sugar?
Limit sugary foods and drinks, brush twice daily, floss regularly, and drink plenty of water to reduce sugar’s impact on your teeth.
4. What should I do if I have a toothache?
Visit your dentist as soon as possible to address the problem and prevent further damage or complications.
5. Why is oral hygiene important for cavity prevention?
Good oral hygiene, including brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing, helps remove sugar residue and bacteria that cause cavities.
6. How often should I visit the dentist?
It’s recommended to visit the dentist every 6 months or as advised to catch any dental issues early and maintain oral health.