Do you have a sweet tooth? Whether you enjoy sneaking a piece of chocolate for dessert, prefer sugary coffee concoctions, or opt for sugary instead of salty foods at a gathering, you probably do. Most Americans enjoy sugary sweets, especially surrounding the holidays. There’s something undeniably delicious about sugary treats, whether you prefer baked goods, fruits, or candies.
If you consume sugary treats, whether a large iced coffee with multiple pumps of syrup or many sugary fruits in a day, your teeth could be at risk of cavities and sensitivity. Keeping your teeth clean and protected is paramount to your oral health and the rest of your body. Keep reading to learn how to safeguard your teeth while enjoying sugary treats.
Why is Sugar Harmful for Your Teeth?
According to the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans consume over 34 teaspoons of sugar daily and average upwards of 100 pounds of sugar in a calendar year. Think about all 100 pounds of sugar… which do you choose to consume? For you, is it fruits or sugary beverages? Whatever the case, eating sugar is inevitable throughout the year, especially with candy-centered holidays like Halloween and Valentine’s Day.
The sugar in foods and drinks isn’t the harmful part of enjoying sugary treats; it’s what happens after you eat them and how bacteria in your mouth react. There are naturally hundreds of bacteria found in a human mouth. Not all are bad; some bacteria can help you maintain oral health. However, some bacteria harm your mouth, causing weakened enamel and cavities.
Enamel is the hard outer layer of teeth that protects the inside layers. It covers the dentin and pulp, the inside layers of the tooth that require enamel to protect them from harmful bacteria. Once it becomes worn or eroded, enamel doesn’t regenerate, exposing the other layers of the tooth to cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth sensitivity.
How to Protect Teeth from Sugar
Limit Sugary Foods
If you have a sweet tooth, saying no to the donuts a coworker brought into the office or skipping your usual sugary latte can be challenging. However, limiting your sugar intake can protect your teeth by exposing them to less sugary foods. Instead of going through your favorite coffee shop drive-thru daily, drinking a soda with each lunch, or eating candy for dessert every night, make these sugary foods and drink an occasional indulgence. Sugar is fine in moderation!
Choose Safer Sweets
Did you know that not all sweets are the same? While all sugary treats taste sweet, they have differing amounts of sugar and affect your teeth differently. Some safer sweets like fruit and dark chocolate have less sugar than some other baked goods or candies and can increase saliva production. Saliva helps wash away bacteria on the teeth. Sticky candies and lollipops leave a residue behind that sits on teeth, whereas safer sweets like dark chocolate or fruits wash away easily.
Drink Plenty of Water
If you can’t help your sweet tooth, drink plenty of water to counteract sugar consumption. Water helps with saliva production which helps prevent dry mouth. Water can weaken and wash away acids and sugars that remain on the teeth after enjoying hard candies or sticky treats. Therefore, drinking plenty of water will remove some of those yucky bacteria that cause cavities.
Don’t Brush Too Soon After Eating Sugary Treats
If you want to reach for your toothbrush right after indulging in brownies or a fruit basket, put it down and wait at least 30 minutes! As previously mentioned, acids and bacteria in sugary foods can cling to teeth, and brushing too soon after eating them can spread them further. Instead, drink water to flush out the bacteria, wash away acids from your teeth, and brush 30-60 minutes after eating sugary treats. You’ll protect teeth from sugar by reducing the spread of acids on the enamel.
Keep Up with Dental Cleanings
Daily brushing and flossing are great for improving your overall oral health and helping cavity prevention, but scheduling dental cleanings every six months helps further protect your teeth from sugar and prevent oral health concerns. Biannual dental check-ups remove hard-to-reach bacteria and tartar that can build up on the teeth, helping to remove some yucky leftover stuff from indulging in sweet treats. Therefore, scheduling your dental cleanings is paramount to protect teeth from sugar.
Follow the tips above to protect teeth from sugar and retain excellent oral health. Gum health and diet are directly linked; a healthy diet leads to healthier teeth and less cavities. Of course, indulging in sweet treats in moderation is fine – you should still enjoy your favorite treats!
Schedule a Dental Cleaning with Rhoades Family Dentistry Today
Rhoades Family Dentistry provides dental care for the whole family, examining the current state of your teeth and gums, and offering advice about protecting teeth from sugary treats. Dr. Hahn and Dr. Driscoll care about your oral health and go above and beyond, offering exceptional dental care and treatments for patients of all ages.
Book an appointment today by scrolling up and clicking “BOOK AN APPOINTMENT” on the top left of your screen or by calling (913) 782-8900. We look forward to serving you by providing excellent dental care and giving your family healthy smiles!
