How sugar works on each person’s teeth depends on multiple genetic and environmental factors. There are people who are more likely to suffer from tooth decay, which becomes more severe when the amount of sugar in their daily intake is high.
On the other hand, the effects of sugar on the teeth are not immediate. It takes a certain time for the bacteria to multiply and be deposited on the teeth and gums, forming a dental biofilm.
Here are the main ways sugar affects teeth:
Dental biofilm formation
Sugar can be easily degraded by bacteria in the dental biofilm, which favors its development and thus its ability to affect the health of teeth and gums.
Over time, if there is no proper removal of the dental biofilm through daily dental brushing and oral hygiene, the minerals in the saliva will be deposited, forming plaque, a hard structure whose only form of removal is through dental hygiene performed in the dental office. .
increased acidity;
By consuming sugar, the bacteria in the biofilm release acids and wastes key to their metabolic activity. In contact with the teeth, these acids erode and weaken tooth enamel, favoring the appearance of dental caries.
The more teeth are exposed to these acids, the more demineralization and weakening the enamel will suffer.
appearance of cavities
As the acids produced by the bacteria in the dental biofilm destroy the enamel and the inner tissues of the tooth, a cavity forms in the affected part which is known as a cavity.
While at first it is a minor damage, if not treated in time it can progress to damage the deeper layers of the tooth, causing very sharp pain, infection and even tooth loss.
Gingivitis
The action of bacteria takes place not only on the teeth, but also affects the gums.
Gingivitis, or periodontitis, is characterized by red, sore, and swollen gums that can bleed easily while brushing or flossing. By eliminating the causative agent, in this case dental biofilm, it is possible to reverse the disease.
Fracture and loss of teeth
The combination of all the negative effects that excessive consumption of sugar, along with inadequate oral hygiene, can lead to broken teeth and even the loss of these.
In fact, when the enamel of the tooth is very affected, cracks occur that end up breaking it. As the gingival infection progresses, it also weakens the tooth root, leading to loss of these if not treated in time.
Recommendations to reduce the effect of sugar on the teeth
To avoid the negative effects of sugar on the teeth, it is not necessary to completely eliminate this food from the diet. One of the most desirable measures is to reduce the consumption of free sugars to an adequate amount, and to implement the following recommendations:
Follow a healthy and balanced diet.
Brush your teeth after every meal.
Supplement oral hygiene with dental floss, interdental brushes and mouthwash.
Avoid eating foods between working hours, especially if they are sugary.
Do not abuse carbonated drinks, juices and other sugary drinks.
Visit the dentist regularly.
