If you have a sweet tooth, it can lead to a decayed tooth. Sugary drinks and foods may be decadently delicious, but they are the primary dietary cause of tooth decay. Even consumed in moderation, sugars are still capable of ruining your teeth. Read on to discover the scary effects of sugar on your teeth.

How Do Cavities Develop?
Your mouth is filled two destructive types of bacteria: Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. These bacteria consume sugar that you’ve eaten, converting it to acids that erode your tooth enamel. They are also responsible for the buildup of plaque, a sticky, destructive film. Plaque begins building up on teeth a mere 20 minutes after you eat sugar. You can reclaim a healthy mouth, and eliminate plaque buildup before it becomes worse by visiting us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa.

What Are Some Foods That Contain Sugar?
Well-known sugar-laden foods include:

• Cake
• Candy
• Sodas
• Donuts
• Energy drinks

Sometimes, food manufacturers will give their sugary ingredients harmless-sounding names to mislead consumers into thinking the products are sugar-free. These include:

• Corn syrup
• Fructose
• Barley malt
• Dextrose
• Gluco-malt

What Are the Effects of Liquid Sugars?
Corn syrup, contained in most sugar-sweetened drinks and sodas, is the most popular and most damaging type of sugar. Because it is a liquid, corn syrup can easily saturate all areas of your teeth and gums. Its sticky texture makes it a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

What Are the Effects of Solid Sugars?
Solid sugars can come in the form of foods and sweets. These sugars form sticky clumps on your teeth that saliva can’t dislodge.

What About Halloween Candy?
Halloween is right around the corner, and so is the tradition of giving and receiving trick or treat goodies. Here is a guide to sweets that are typically handed out, and the effects they have on your teeth.

• Sticky Candies: These candies are hard to remove from teeth, and because they’re sticky, they may leave residue behind. This gives bacteria a great opportunity to wreak havoc on your teeth.
• Hard Candy and Lollipops: Hard candy is harmful because you keep it in your mouth until it melts. The sugar dissolves into your saliva and keeps flowing over your teeth, giving bacteria ample time to consume the sugar and manufacture more acid.
• Sour Candy: Sour candy is extremely acidic. That, and the fact that it’s often kept in the mouth until it completely melts, makes it a threat to your enamel.
• Chocolate: You may be overjoyed to learn that chocolate is less threatening to your pearly whites than the other sweets on this list. Not that you can exchange it for a salad, but it’s a good Halloween handout. Chocolate scores points because it washes off teeth more easily than other candies. Dark chocolate is even better.

How Can I Prevent Sugar Damage to My Teeth?
Sugar is so prevalent in so many foods and beverages that it’s impossible to avoid it completely. However, there are preventative measures you can take to minimize sugar’s negative effects upon your teeth:

• Don’t have drinks that are acidic or sugary before bed. Otherwise, the fluid will sit in your mouth and drench your teeth in acid and sugar.
• Avoid any type of soda.
• Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride is a substance that helps strengthen tooth enamel by protecting it from bacteria that cause tooth decay.
• Drink water. It has no acid and no sugar. Tap water contains fluoride, as well.
• Chew sugar-free gum. Sugar-free gum cleans your teeth, and it also stimulates saliva production to remove layers of sugar from your teeth.
• Brush your teeth after each meal, after snacking and before you go to bed. Also remember to replace your toothbrush every three months.
• Visit your dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and checkup.

Avoiding sugary foods and treats can be hard, especially during Halloween. However, sugar can have tremendously destructive effects upon your teeth. When you do consume sugar, remember to take the necessary preventative measures after. Make sure you are also keeping up with your regular dental visits at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. If you are in need of a dental checkup, contact us today to schedule an appointment.