One of the biggest misconceptions, or call it a myth in dentistry is that sugar directly causes tooth decay. Whether you believe it or not, sugar does not directly cause cavities.
The truth that you probably don’t know is that sugar only causes cavities if there are cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria are capable of processing the sugar directly into enamel demineralizing. Of course, that is not to say that sugar eating in large amounts is safe if you keep your mouth free of cavity-causing bacteria.
This is simply to say that if you do not have a high amount of cavity-causing bacteria in your teeth, you are at a lower risk of developing cavities from consuming sugar.
With that said, how do you eat sugar and prevent cavities? Here’s what the dentists at Vitarelli Dental, Saddle River have to say.
Limit Sugar Consumption
This one is a no brainer. While some of us have a very demanding sweet-tooth, it does not mean satisfying your sugar cravings will result in cavities. According to dentists, when you eat something, the pH levels of your mouth start to drop and it starts to produce acids.
Acid, as you may have already guessed, is not good for your mouth or teeth. The bacteria that cause cavities depend on these acidic conditions of the mouth to thrive. The acid, when it becomes concentrated, can also dissolve important minerals, especially the tooth enamel which causes teeth to become weak for the bacteria to attack.
Just remember, anything you eat changes the level of pH in your mouth which exposes your teeth to cavity-causing bacteria. So if you want to avoid cavities and eat sugar at the same time, avoid snacking on sugar frequently. Your mouth can only fend off against acid environment 3-4 times a day until it is overwhelmed and bacteria is open to attack the teeth.
How Susceptible Are You To Cavities?
Did you know that dentists can actually test how bad cavity-causing bacteria on your mouth is? If you visit the dentist and they test the magnitude of these bacteria, and if it turns out high, it means that eating any amount of sugar will leave you at a greater risk of forming cavities.
The good news is, dentists are also able to diagnose this problem and recommend you numerous ways such as the use of fluoride toothpaste to lower the bad bacteria in your mouth.
Start Following Healthy Habits After Consuming Sugar
If you want to avoid cavities and tooth decay at all costs, then develop healthy habits after you have had sugar. Make sure you always clean your teeth after eating, just make sure that you don’t scrub the enamel of your teeth aggressively with a toothbrush because, after a meal, the enamel is usually in a weakened state due to acid attack.
We at Vitarelli Dental recommend brushing your teeth after at least 30 minutes have passed. This gives your mouth enough time to redeposit minerals on the enamel of your teeth.
After you have had sugary foods and drinks, swish your mouth with plain water to help remove any food particles. You can also grab a pH correcting oral rinse from a departmental store to help protect your teeth from acid attacks and decay. Don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth every day for the best oral health.
Conclusion
Eating sugar and avoid cavities is completely possible if you keep a close watch on the pH levels of your mouth. Visit your dentist regularly for periodontal therapy today and find out just how much dental cavity-causing bacteria is in your mouth.
Don’t stop eating sugar just because you’ve heard that it can cause cavities. If you are careful and follow the tips above, along with regular dental visits, and optimal dental care you can easily indulge in as many sweet treats as you want without damaging your teeth!