Are Sugary Foods Harming My Teeth?

Sugar is the worst enemy of our teeth. Whenever we consume sugary foods or sweet beverages, a chain of events starts that weakens the outermost protective layer of the teeth called the enamel. The teeth are under almost constant attack by sugars – when sugar reaches into the oral cavity, the bacteria that naturally occur in the mouth start transforming that sugar into acids that demineralize the enamel on the teeth, weakening it. If the amount of the sugar consumed is kept at bay, the body starts a process called remineralization to counter the harmful effects of sugar, but if the remineralization process is not efficient enough, either because the quantity of sugars is too large or because the body cannot supply the teeth with sufficient minerals from the diet to restore the strength of the enamel, cavities start to appear as the result of the harmful action of acids.

There are several methods that you can combine to make sure that the enamel on your teeth stay strong enough. Thorough dental hygiene is the best way to eliminate harmful acids from your mouth, especially if you use a fluoride toothpaste that instantly re-mineralizes your teeth and you can – and should – also reduce the amount of sugar consumed. To strengthen the tooth from the inside, try to consume foods that are rich in calcium, too – dairy products are the best sources of the mineral.  Taking a trip to the dental office every 6 months is always advised, to keep up with your teeth and keep them healthy.