How sugar affects your teeth

We all know that sugar is not a healthy food and that it causes or fuels the progression of diseases such as: diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, various types of cancer or even liver diseases. However, perhaps due to addiction or lack of self-control, most of us continue to consume it every day. Although sugar has negative effects on the health of the entire body, few people are aware of the harmful effects of sugar on teeth and gums. Oral health is closely connected to general health, so it is essential to ensure the good condition of teeth and gums.

Sugar consumption promotes the development of gingivitis and periodontitis.

Sugar can lead to gingivitis or, more seriously, periodontitis, or tooth loss. The disease of the tooth's supporting structures (gums, ligaments, and bone support) is called periodontal disease , periodontopathy, or, in popular terms, "periodontitis." In its most severe forms, this condition can lead to tooth loss. The early stage of periodontal disease is the gingivitis stage. At this stage, the patient has not yet lost bone support, only the gum is affected.

Gingivitis symptoms:

• Dark red or purple gums
• Bleeding when brushing
• Enlarged gums
• Bad breath
• Gingival recession

Bacteria responsible for gingivitis that feed on sugar in food

There is a large family of bacteria in the oral cavity: some of them are beneficial, and others are extremely harmful. Harmful bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar. Among the harmful bacteria that feed on sugar, there is Porphyromonas gingivalis. This bacterium is responsible for the development of gingivitis and periodontitis. It has the ability to infect the support of the teeth (ligaments and gums) and interrupt the repair processes of the periodontal tissue. Moreover, Porphyromonas gingivalis can enter the systemic blood circulation of the entire body and contribute to other health problems, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or cardiovascular diseases.

Sugar is harmful to periodontal tissue

After any meal containing sugar, no matter how small the amount of sugar in it, bacteria in the oral cavity begin to grow and multiply, becoming harmful to periodontal tissue. Once the bacteria have eaten sugar, they begin to produce acids (which are harmful to teeth and gums). Through this mechanism, an unhealthy PH is created for the oral cavity, and the tooth coating is weakened, making them much more prone to cavities.

If we can't give up foods containing sugar, it would be best to choose sweet products in a smart way so that we don't expose our teeth and gums to an unfavorable environment for a long time.

What do we replace sugar with?

• Replace sugary drinks with water. The acid in these drinks erodes enamel, and the sugar feeds bacteria (which also produce acids after consuming sugar).
• Avoid sweet, sticky foods that stick to your teeth for a long time. For example, instead of candy or cookies, eat a square of chocolate with a high cocoa content because it will be consumed more quickly and cleaning will be easier.
• Avoid pastries like bagels, pretzels, and pies, especially in the morning. They contain sugars and carbohydrates, stick to your teeth, and provide a rich source of bacteria for the entire day.
• After eating sugar, drink plenty of water. This will help remove the sugary food residue from your teeth and gums.
• Try drinking unsweetened tea and coffee. Your teeth, gums, and figure will thank you. Also, green tea or mint tea, consumed without sugar or honey, have antibacterial effects and help eliminate bad breath.

If you need more information about how to prevent the harmful effects of sugar on your teeth, you can visit us at any of our clinics in the country or you can make an appointment directly online , and our team will contact you as soon as possible.