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Why Is Sugar Bad for Your Teeth?

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Why Is Sugar Bad for Your Teeth?

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Sugar and teeth are not a good combination. Sugar is directly related to your risk for tooth decay, but many people don’t know how exactly. Sugar is found in many foods you can buy at the store, and it’s the food that bacteria needs to make plaque. That plaque is what erodes and decays your teeth over time through a specific process. The key is to eliminate that plaque when it forms and to limit your sugar intake. Find out how sugar is related to tooth decay, how that decay forms and what you can do about sugar to have good oral health.

Sugar and Teeth

When it comes to sugar and teeth, it isn’t as much the quantity of sugar in your diet, but the frequency of having it. (And, what you do after you eat it.) Sugar that comes in juices or sodas slides between your teeth sticking to areas that can only be cleaned with a thorough flossing. Sometimes, even with dedicated brushing and flossing, sugars can be difficult to remove.  

Dedicated oral hygiene helps, but those hard-to-reach sugars feed hungry bacteria triggering tooth decay and cavities. Foods high in sugar also leave large amounts of sugar remnants on your teeth that won’t dissolve easily with your natural saliva production.  These sugars, when left to fester, allow bacteria to grow which eats away at your vital tooth enamel. Weakened tooth enamel allows holes to develop in the teeth and cavities. 

Sugar Today

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), men should not have more than 38 grams of sugar per day and women should not have more than 25 grams. Children should only be having up to 6 grams of added sugars and infants should have little to none, if possible.

Adjusting how we think about sugar is also important. Contrary to popular thought, sugar isn’t limited to sweets and treats.  Common sources of sugar are in those foods that seem harmless like bread, peanut butter and jelly, applesauce, graham crackers and other snacks that parents think are healthy.

Sugar Facts:

  • 30-50% of children now get Type II Diabetes and up to 92% of people have tooth decay, in large part to not monitoring the intake of sugar.
  • The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that children 3 and under get at least 12 grams of sugar a day.
  • 4 to 8 year-olds get an average of 21 grams a day.
  • Children up to 18 years old get around 34 grams or more.
  • The average American gets about 22 teaspoons or more of sugar throughout their day that is usually hidden in the foods they eat.

Ideas for How to Approach Sugar and the Daily Diet

Developing healthy eating patterns that reduce the amount of sugar in your child’s diet takes planning and monitoring, but it is worth it!

Here are some tips for limiting sugar intake and for helping your child take care of their teeth:

  • Schedule dental visits from the time your child is one year old, or within 6 months of getting their first tooth. Children should see a dentist at least twice a year, just like adults need to do.
  • Pay attention to food labels. Check the sugar content.  Avoid all foods that have more than a few grams of added sugars in them. Be especially careful about cereals and give your child whole-grain cereals with fruit instead of sugar cereals.
  • Children don’t need soda. If you can, just avoid giving it to them at all. Limit juice consumption and opt for juices that are flavored but have zero grams of added sugars. If your child wants flavor, look to sugar-free sweeteners such as Crystal Light.
  • Have treats be something special instead of something that is had at every meal.
  • As Dr. Bockrath about dental sealants to seal out decay.
  • Be involved with your child’s daily oral hygiene routine. Monitor how often and how well your child is brushing and flossing their teeth. As a parent, you will have to brush their teeth for the first few years with fluoride toothpaste until their small hands have the dexterity to brush themselves. Children should brush at least morning (after breakfast) and night before bed.

Call for a Nutrition and Teeth Consultation

If you would like to learn more about how you can help improve your nutrition and teeth health habits for a healthier smile (and body) call our office today!  Mountain Aire Dentistry, located in Broomfield, CO is a general and family dentistry practice. We are passionate about helping you and your children achieve and maintain optimal oral health and a beautiful smile! We focus on prevention, tooth preservation, and awareness and make every effort to treat our patients the way we treat members of our own family. We offer comprehensive care for your dental needs in a relaxed and efficient atmosphere.  We look forward to meeting you and your family! Call us today at (303) 731-7755 to make an appointment.


291 E Flatiron Crossing Dr,
Broomfield, CO 80021

(303) 731-7755

 

When you visit our Broomfield dental office, your smile is our top priority. Our Dentists invite you to experience the difference a warm and caring team can provide for you and your family. Enjoy a unique and comfortable dental experience designed to bring a healthier and happier smile back into your life. We invite you to call or visit our Broomfield dental office and discover the exceptional difference we offer to those we serve.