The Link Between Sugar Consumption and Dental Cavities – How to Reduce Your Cavity Risk

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, occurs when bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acid that wears down enamel over time – leading to cavities, sensitivity and pain in teeth.

Sugar can be found in various food items, including candy, cookies, cakes and soda. However, it is important to remember that not all sugars are created equally.

1. Eat a Balanced Diet

While it’s understandable that eating too many sweets causes cavities, the exact way in which sugar fuels harmful bacteria that feed off it to produce acids that erode tooth enamel over time and lead to tiny holes known as cavities may not be so clear-cut.

Sticky sweets such as candy and chewing gum provide bacteria with an ongoing source of sugar, hastening their development of cavities. Sugary beverages like juice and soda contain even more sugar than their “diet” versions, while processed foods such as burgers, fries and fried chicken may contain excessive fat, salt and additives that contribute to tooth decay.

The World Health Organization recently revised its guidelines for restricting sugar intake, basing them on evidence from cohort studies that demonstrated an association between increased consumption of free sugars and cavitated dental caries cavitation. According to these studies, restricting free sugars intake to no more than 5% of total energy is believed to reduce caries cavitation both among children and adults alike.

2. Practice Oral Hygiene

Your oral bacteria are generally beneficial; however, some strains can also be detrimental. There are bacteria which feed off of sugar and turn it into acids which demineralize teeth; unfortunately, natural remineralization processes cannot keep up with this kind of diet and cavities form as a result.

Sugars found in candy and sweetened beverages can be quickly broken down by oral bacteria into acid that attacks tooth enamel, leading to dental decay that leads directly to cavities.

However, cavities can largely be avoided with proper oral hygiene practices and healthy food choices. Brushing, flossing and using mouthwash on a daily basis will reduce bacteria levels and plaque that contributes to decay. Furthermore, opting for water instead of sugary drinks and chewing sugar-free gum post meals may further offset excess sugar intake. Visiting the dentist early on can detect problems early on as well.

3. Visit Your Dentist Regularly

To maintain a beautiful smile requires diligent oral hygiene practices, intelligent diet choices and regular professional dental check-ups. Cavities are the gradual demineralization of tooth enamel that may result in cavities. Their cause may include poor oral hygiene practices, excessive sugar intake, dry mouth conditions, acidic foods or genetic predisposition – just to name some of them!

An excessively sweet diet encourages the proliferation of bacteria that metabolize sugar and produce acids which erode teeth surface, damaging it further. While your oral microbiome and natural remineralization systems may be capable of keeping up with healthy diet demands – sugar does not.

As good news, it’s good to know that it is possible to lower your cavity risk with simple daily steps. Brush and floss regularly, consume a balanced diet, and opt for sugar free beverages as part of an effort to combat tooth decay. Also be sure to visit your dentist regularly; early diagnosis of cavities could save both pain and money in the future!

4. Stay Hydrated

Drinking water regularly helps keep your mouth clean by washing away food debris, reducing bacteria that cause bad breath, and diluting acids that erode tooth enamel. Making drinking water part of a daily habit can drastically lower cavity risk – especially if fluoridated water is consumed!

Summer heat and outdoor activities can increase your risk of dehydration, leading to dry mouth (xerostomia). Lack of saliva allows harmful bacteria to flourish, increasing the chance of cavities while diminishing oral hygiene practices’ efficacy.

Opting for sugar free beverages, restricting between-meal snacks, and maintaining consistent oral health habits can greatly decrease your cavity risk. Although avoiding all sugar is unrealistic for most individuals, taking some proactive measures such as limiting intake can go a long way toward protecting teeth from damage and minimizing cavities. Our office strives to educate patients on how their lifestyle choices impact dental health as well as prioritizing preventive care – find out more how we can keep your smile in tip top condition by scheduling an appointment today with one of our specialists today!