How sugary sweets can impact the smile
Created on August 30, 2020
It’s no surprise when patients learn that high sugar intake can negatively impact their health. But at the same time, consumption of sugars and sweets can also impact one’s oral health. Drs. Peck, Velastegui, and Homsi of Taylor Street Dental in Springfield, MA are committed to educating patients on the ways in which sweets affect their teeth.
Bacteria loves sugar!
Most patients understand that sugar isn’t great for their teeth, but many are unsure exactly why that is. Our dentists at Taylor Street Dental take the time to educate patients on how certain habits can affect them. Sugar isn’t a corrosive. Instead, the problem with sugar is the fact that bacteria thrives off of it. This produces acids that can erode natural tooth enamel and cause the formation of cavities.
While tooth enamel is one of the hardest substances in the body and can help protect the smile from tooth decay, long-term exposure to acids produced by bacteria feeding on sugar can leave teeth susceptible to tooth decay and periodontal disease.
How to protect the smile from decay
In addition to brushing and flossing the teeth after every meal, there are ways in which patients can reduce their sugar intake and positively impact the smile:
- Cut back on drinking certain high-sugar beverages such as fruit juices, sports drinks, and sodas
- Make an effort to replace sugary drinks with water
- When drinking beverages with high sugar content, use a straw to reduce exposure of the teeth to sugars
- Incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet which can help reduce cravings for snacks and desserts
- Brush and floss the teeth immediately after consuming high-sugar foods and beverages to remove sugars from the surfaces of the teeth and gums
Schedule a visit with the team at Taylor Street Dental today!
Springfield, MA area patients who are interested in learning more about protecting their smile from cavities are encouraged to book a consultation visit with Drs. Peck, Velastegui, and Homsi for an evaluation and education on good oral hygiene habits. Call (413) 781-7645 to request an appointment at our practice, conveniently located at 41 Taylor Street, Fourth Floor.
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