How Does Sugar Lead to Tooth Decay?

Think about the foods and drinks that you’ve been told are bad for your teeth. What do most (if not all) of them have in common? It’s sugar. Sugar has developed a reputation for being especially harmful to teeth, leading to cavities and gum disease. But what is it about sugar that causes tooth decay?

Bad Bacteria Proliferation

Sugar isn’t technically the problem–it’s the preferred fuel source for the problem. The real culprits are some of the species of bacteria that live in your mouth. While there are many species of bacteria found in the mouth, not all of them are harmful. That said, two in particular are. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbrinus can do some real damage to your teeth. These bacteria love sugar, hence the problem.

Plaque Formation

When bad bacteria encounter sugar, they use it as a source of energy, not entirely unlike how the human body does. The problem is that the result is an acid that breaks down carbohydrates. When that acid mixes with the carbohydrates and bacteria, it creates a colorless, sticky film on the teeth called plaque. Brushing and flossing your teeth soon after eating or drinking helps prevent plaque from forming and sticking to the teeth. If you skip brushing and flossing, however, that plaque may harden into tartar which is much more difficult to remove.

pH Alteration

As you might imagine, regularly exposing your teeth to an acid bath isn’t going to do good things for them. Quite the opposite. The acid produced by those bacteria leeches minerals away from your enamel. If left unchecked, that demineralization will eventually destroy the enamel and result in tooth decay. Fortunately, your saliva has minerals such as calcium and phosphate that can help remineralize your enamel as long as the demineralization hasn’t progressed too far. The fluoride found in toothpaste and some municipal water sources also helps with enamel remineralization.

The good news is that while sugar isn’t good for your teeth, you don’t have to cut it out of your diet (though cutting back on it would probably be a good idea). As long as you limit your intake of added sugars and take steps to protect the health of your teeth, having the occasional sugary treat isn’t going to give you a cavity right away. Practice good oral hygiene and come see us for your biannual cleaning and exam. That will help you keep your enamel mineralized and strong.

Are you concerned about tooth decay? Click here to contact South Temple Dental today to get the help you need.