Chances are that you have been told since you were a young child that too much sugar is bad for your teeth. But why is that the case? And is there anything that can be done to keep your teeth healthy, even if you eat a lot of sugar?
Sugar’s Effects
Your mouth is filled with bacteria. Some of them are good, and others are bad. The problem with sugar is that it will feed the bad bacteria that is already in your mouth. That will then start to attack the enamel on your teeth. Over time, that can lead to cavities and other problems. Too much sugar can also hurt your gums, which could lead to sores.
While too much sugar of any type is not good for your teeth, sticky candies are especially bad. These will coat your teeth and stay in your mouth for a long time. Treats such as lollipops will also do the same thing. A lollipop is usually kept in the mouth for an extended period of time, giving the sugar and bacteria a chance to do their thing.
Moderation
That does not mean that you cannot have sugar if you want to have a healthy mouth. You need to just have everything in moderation. After you eat a sticky treat, rinse out your mouth or brush your teeth. If that is not possible, chewing sugarless gum can help.
If you consume a lot of sugar, the last thing that you want to do is to skip a dental appointment. We will want to keep an eye of your teeth and gums and make sure that the sugar is not damaging anything. It is also important for children to see us regularly. Sugar is a part of most childhoods, and with proper dental care that does not need to change.