The Effects of Sugar on Teeth And Improving Your Enamel
Sparkling Water and Your Teeth Fizz Facts More people are drinking sparkling water than ever before. Health- conscious individuals are turning away from sugary sodas and replacing them with sparkling alternatives, such as LaCroix and Perrier. We know sparkling water is better than soda for your body, but is it safer for your teeth? Sodas and juices are highly acidic, and combined with their sugar content, you have the ultimate recipe for tooth decay. Remove the sugars and many of the acidic ingredients, such as citric acid, and you’re left with a very different beverage. A 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) examined the erosive properties of common beverages. The study found that sports drinks, for example, were “extremely erosive,” while researchers characterized sparkling water as “minimally erosive” when it came to the impact on tooth enamel. Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a professor with the UCLA School of Dentistry and consumer advisor with the American Dental Association, says that, sugars aside, the acid levels in sparkling water are significantly lower than those in typical sodas and juices. The carbon dioxide in sparkling water, which becomes carbonic acid when consumed, isn’t a danger to tooth enamel if drunk in moderation. However, if consumed regularly over a long period of time, sparkling water may have an erosive effect on tooth enamel. Luckily, for the majority of the population, this is not an issue. The important takeaway from JADA’s study is that sugar-free sparkling water is a much healthier alternative to soda, juice, and other beverages high in sugar and acid content, and that includes beverages marketed as “diet.” The next time you reach for a refreshing sparkling water, you can rest assured you’re making a good choice, not just for your body but for your teeth as well.
Everyone knows that an
excessive amount of sugar isn’t healthy, but many are unaware why sugar is bad for teeth. It might surprise you to know that sugar itself isn’t what hurts your teeth; it’s what happens after you consume it.
The Battle of
the Mouth Our mouths are filled with bacteria, but don’t be alarmed because most of them
are helpful rather than harmful. However, these helpful bacteria are at constant odds with those looking to destroy your enamel. Harmful oral bacteria feed on sugars, and when they do, they produce acid, which strips healthy minerals from your tooth enamel. This process is known as demineralization. Demineralization is continuously butting heads against another process called remineralization, which replaces destroyed minerals and strengthens the teeth. When someone eats a large quantity of sugars or starches, demineralization can happen more quickly and more often, and remineralization can’t keep up. Cavities The constant destruction of the enamel by these acids creates a bacterial infection, which can eat away at your tooth until there is a hole, aka a cavity. Cavities can be treated in many ways depending on their severity. If it has just started, using fluoride treatments can increase remineralization and build up enamel again. Another option is to receive a filling, which is a common treatment that fills the hole with various materials, such as porcelain or tooth-colored resins. When the cavity isn’t treated, it burrows deeper into the tooth, causing pain and tooth loss. Improving Remineralization Making sure your teeth are exposed to constant minerals is the best method to strengthen your enamel. In addition to using fluoride rinses and toothpastes, keep an eye on your diet. Avoiding sugary foods and consuming fruits and vegetables with high fibers, cheeses and yogurts with calcium and phosphates, and black and green teas to repress harmful bacteria are all ways to improve remineralization.
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