Effects of Sugary Snacks on Teeth | 2020 NEW FACT LIST

Last Updated on January 25, 2021 by Gio Greenard

Effects of sugary snacks on teeth. We all enjoy a sugary snack now and then; sugary snacks taste good and give us a lift. However, there are some real effects that come from eating too many sugary snacks, especially when it comes to our oral health. Keep in mind; our teeth are covered in enamel. Some are not aware that enamel is not strong; it is a very thin protective coating. In this post we’ll show the effects of sugary snacks on teeth. Let’s get stuck in.

People also ask

1. What effect does sugar have on teeth?
2. What happens to your teeth if you eat too much sugar?
3. Does eating sweets cause tooth decay?

Sugar does not break down or harm the enamel; it is when sugar reacts with saliva; when acid is released into the mouth that breaks down the food. At the same time, acid breaks down the enamel. This, in turn, causes cavities.

What Causes Tooth Decay?

To be clear, tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria use sugar from foods and drinks and then produce acids that dissolve and damage the teeth. Soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks, and other similar drinks have high acid levels that can cause teeth to erode and your oral health disintegrate.

What Are the Effects of Sugar in My Teeth?

Why do my teeth hurt when I eat something sweet? The answer is, sugar affects tooth decay but not in the way you may think. Bacteria in your mouth form together to become plaque; plaque then uses sugar as a form of energy. Bacteria and sugar then begin to grow.

• Then, some of the bacteria turn the sugar into a kind of glue.
• The glue then sticks itself to the surface of the tooth.
• This makes it harder for the bacteria to get washed away with your saliva.

Types of Food That Are Harmful to Your Teeth

Is sugar actually bad for my teeth? Too much sugar is bad for your teeth, especially if it is not counterbalanced with non-sugary foods. Besides sugar, there are other foods and fizzy or soft drinks and even sports drinks that are harmful to your teeth such as gummy snacks and supplements.

Other harmful foods are potato chips, acidic foods like tomatoes, alcohol, wheat and grains, energy drinks, protein bars and granola, coffee and tea, and ice.

What Foods Are Good for Your Teeth?

There are food and drinks, on the other hand, which are good for your dental health such as fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, cheese, yogurt, green and black teas, and sugarless chewing gum. In addition, foods that have fluoride in them such as fluoridated drinking water, powdered juices, dehydrated soups, seafood, and powdered cereals are also good for your teeth.

How an Orthodontist Can Help

For those who develop oral problems that come from eating too many sugary things an orthodontist can help. An orthodontist can answer the question, “What are the effects of sugar in my teeth?”

• Keep in mind; even though an orthodontist does not do fillings, he or she, if you have braces, will remove any brackets or bands you have on your teeth—teeth that have cavities–so that your dentist will be able to fill the cavity.
• An orthodontist can also give you good advice on the types of braces that may fit your needs.

Examples of Braces

Examples of braces that are available are metal braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, self-ligating braces, and Invisalign. Braces, not only provide a great-looking smile, it also boosts a person’s self-confidence and adds a general feeling of wellness to a person’s life. Getting semi-annual dental checkups with your dentist can also prevent cavities and gum disease.

Other dental services that orthodontists provide are braces, space maintainers, aligners, jaw repositioning appliances, lip and cheek bumpers, palatal expanders, and removable retainers like Invisalign.

Tips If You like Eating Sugary Things

If you love eating sugary things, and who doesn’t, there are several tips that may reduce tooth decay. When eating sugary foods, do it by eating them with meals, drinking more water, brushing your teeth twice a day, and flossing once a day.

What Other Health Concerns of Sugary Foods

Besides causing cavities and dental health issues, eating too much sugar can cause other health problems such as gaining weight, diabetes, pancreatic cancer, kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, mental problems, a decline in cognitive-thinking, and causing nutritional deficiencies.

Certain Foods That Keep Teeth Healthy and Strong

To ensure that your teeth stay healthy and strong, there are certain foods that will help such as foods high in calcium and phosphorous like yogurt, cheese, milk, almonds, and crunchy foods that are high in water like apples, cucumbers, and carrots. Foods rich in vitamin D are also good. Examples of vitamin D-rich foods are fish and egg yolks. The natural sunlight itself is a great source of Vitamin D.

Signs and Symptoms You Are Eating Too Many Sweets

Your teeth and body will give off certain signs and symptoms that you are consuming too many sweets such as:

• You are constantly craving sugary things.
• Your energy level is low.
• Your skin keeps breaking out.
• You are far moodier than normal.
• You are gaining weight.
• You are developing more cavities.

Tooth sensitivity, be it from sweets and other foods, often mean that the enamel of your teeth is damaged and making your teeth sensitive to sweets and other foods. The previous words can answer the question, “Why do my teeth hurt when I eat something sweet?”

Eat Sugary Snacks in Moderation

Sugar, eaten in moderation, is not bad for your teeth or body; however, if consumed too often, it can cause a lot of health problems like diabetes and heart disease.

• If sugar foods are eaten in moderation and eaten with other healthy foods, they cause no harm.
• It is when they are eaten often; that is when it can lead to a major health problem like diabetes or heart disease.
• Brushing your teeth three times a day, flossing, and using mouthwash can lower the possibility of cavities and other health-related issues.

Dr Patricia Panucci

Dr Patti Panucci attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry for four years, where she graduated with a DMD degree (May 2000) among the Top 10 in her class. Following that, she headed west to Los Angeles to complete her three-year residency at one of the top-ranked orthodontic programs in the country – the University of Southern California.

Along with her certificate in orthodontics, Dr. Panucci earned a master’s degree in craniofacial biology. During those three years, she fell in love with Southern California beach life and decided that this was where her future lay.