Many are familiar with how sugar can affect overall health, but fewer are familiar with why general dentistry practices recommend avoiding sugar. Sugar can have a negative impact on oral health and the appearance of your smile. This article discusses exactly why sugar is potentially harmful to the teeth and gums.
The following is everything to know about how sugar consumption can damage oral health and how to keep a healthy and beautiful smile by limiting sugar and other refined carbohydrates. This can reduce the risk of needing restorative care in the future.
Sugar is a carbohydrate. Like many other carbohydrates, sugar can combine with bacteria that naturally develop in the mouth. When this occurs, it triggers an acidic reaction that can contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel and damage the gums. This leads to common oral health concerns such as dental cavities, gum disease, and oral infections. By limiting sugar consumption and taking precautions when consuming foods and drinks that are high in sugar, the risk of oral health concerns is substantially reduced.
As mentioned above, excessive sugar consumption could lead to a range of oral health concerns, particularly if the patient does not have a consistent oral care routine in place between their cleaning and check-up visits. Common issues that can develop as a consequence of excessive sugar consumption and poor hygiene are:
The risks depend on how long issues remain undetected and untreated. It is important to visit a dentist for check-up visits every four to six months and limit how much sugar is consumed between visits.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends no more than 24 grams of sugar per day. While this number is recommended for heart health, it is a good rule to follow for protecting oral health as well. The more sugar that is consumed, the more important it is to practice good oral hygiene and consistently brush, floss, and use mouthwash.
Foods and drinks such as candy and soft drinks can harm oral health. On the other hand, there are some ways to actually improve oral health with dietary choices. One way is to consume more calcium, which can strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of dental decay. It can also help to drink water throughout the day, especially drinking water with fluoride, to wash away bacteria and keep teeth enamel and the gums strong.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry Services in East Point, GA
If you have questions about how sugar affects oral health or are interested in scheduling a check-up visit with our office, contact us today. We value the oral health of our patients, and we do everything we can to prevent any issues from ever developing, along with offering restorative services.
Request an appointment or call J.D. Murray DDS & Associates at 404-410-2526 for an appointment in our East Point office.
General dentistry helps prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease. General dentists are the most common types of dentists, and they spend most of their time performing preventative treatments.Many patients have oral health questions for general dentists. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked…
General dentistry focuses on preventative treatments, but it includes using dental cosmetics like veneers to restore or enhance the appearance of teeth. A veneer is a tooth-shaped restoration that is cemented to the front part of a tooth. It covers up any imperfections, damages, or deformities on that part of the tooth. Veneers started out…
General dentistry allows people to seek dental treatments from someone who knows them well. It is important to give an accurate diagnosis. This is possible with the use of dental X-rays. If you want to know if dental X-rays are advisable in general dentistry, here are the details.Decades ago, a dental X-ray was a long…
Dental implants are a leading choice for many patients when it comes to tooth replacement. Patients like the idea of a tooth replacement option resembling natural teeth. Dental implants look natural and perform like a permanent natural tooth. Therefore, there is no need to take the tooth replacement out daily for cleaning or worry about…
Many patients have issues with the appearance of their smile. Whether looking to fix a chipped tooth, whiten your teeth, or completely transform your smile, cosmetic dental services offer a wide range of solutions. If you are considering cosmetic dentistry, you may have some questions about these services and how they can benefit your oral…