You’ve probably heard that sugar is harmful to your teeth. However, did you realize that this was only sometimes the case? Aristotle, a respected Greek philosopher of antiquity, observed that sweet foods like soft figs induced tooth decay, but his observations were not taken seriously. In the present day, we are certain that sugar causes dental decay. However, sugar is one of many troublemakers here, which you’ve taken lightly, and doesn’t visit emergency dental clinics near me. Let’s look at what happens to your mouth after consuming sugar in more detail and effective ways to maintain your oral health.
There are several kinds of microscopic organisms in your mouth known as bacteria. Certain bacteria are beneficial to your teeth, while others are not. When the hazardous germs come into contact with sugar, problems begin.
These unfriendly bacteria, like Streptococcus mutans, go to work when they find sugar. They produce acid that is harmful to your teeth. This acid removes minerals from your tooth’s outer layer, called enamel. We call this process “demineralization.”
Your saliva is like a superhero for your teeth. It helps reverse the damage naturally in a process called “remineralization.” Saliva contains minerals like calcium and phosphate, along with fluoride from toothpaste and water. These minerals work together to repair the enamel by replacing the ones lost during an “acid attack.” This helps keep your teeth strong.
But here’s the tricky part: when these acid attacks happen repeatedly, your enamel loses more and more minerals. Over time, this weakens the enamel, and a hole called a cavity can form in your tooth. Harmful bacteria create these cavities by digesting the sugar in your food and producing acid. If you don’t visit a dentist near me walk in or do not get treated cavities on time, they can spread deeper into your tooth, causing pain and loss. You’ll know you might have a cavity if you have a toothache, chewing pain, or sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages.
Sugar is considered a bacteria for your mouth. The main troublemakers are Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbrinus. These bacteria love to eat the sugar you consume and form a sticky film on your teeth called dental plaque. This is a severe health condition that you must visit dentists near me open saturday, if you have a busy schedule.
However, if you don’t remove this plaque by brushing or through your saliva, your mouth becomes more acidic, and this is a stage when cavities start to form, so when you notice this condition, you need to head out dentist offices near me.
Healthcare professionals measure acidity on a scale, with seven being neutral. When the pH of plaque drops below 5.5, it means the acid is dissolving minerals and damaging your tooth enamel. Small holes or erosions will begin to form, which can turn into a big cavity over time.
High intake of sugar causes trouble and is linked with many oral health issues that you don’t have to ignore at any cost. If you find your teeth swollen, in severe pain, bleeding from gums, or tooth decay, you must consult emergency dentists near me.