Candy causes cavities. You’ve heard it from your parents and doctors throughout your lifetime. It’s true: sugar is a primary cause of tooth decay (cavities). But cavities don’t occur instantly, like a cut on skin or broken bone. Teeth also don’t heal naturally like skin and bone. Cavity development follows a set pattern, a predictable process. Today you’ll learn how sugar leads to cavities and can negatively impact dental health so that you can make wise choices about your diet and long-term oral health.
If you need a dentist for your Fairfield, CT, family, we invite you to call Dr. Gary Horblitt’s office at (203) 335-1011 for an initial appointment. He’ll thoroughly evaluate your oral health, as well as your head, neck, and jaw joints. We will take x-rays and digital, intraoral photos for you and Dr. Horblitt to investigate together. He’ll explain his findings, the potential causes, and treatment options. Once your mouth is in great health, Dr. Horblitt and our team can educate and inform you, so you’ll have the tools to make wise choices for your health in the future.
What Happens in Your Mouth When You Eat Sugar
An entire world exists inside your mouth! Over 700 different species of bacteria can live in the oral microbiome. Twenty to fifty BILLION bacteria may reside in a healthy mouth. In fact, a single tooth’s surface may be home to hundreds of millions of bacteria. Of the bacteria living in your mouth, 5 to 10% are likely bad (or pathogenic, so they cause cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and inflammation). Twenty to thirty percent are harmless unless your oral pH drops or your immunity is weakened, like during illness.
Sugar and other starches provide food for bacteria. The bacteria excrete an acid that softens tooth enamel for about an hour. Note that tooth enamel is the second-hardest naturally occurring substance on earth–the first is diamonds. Tooth enamel can be stronger than bone, but In its softened state, enamel is prone to bacterial infection…cavities.
How Acid Weakens Tooth Enamel
Every time you eat sugar or starches, bacteria emit acid that temporarily softens tooth enamel. Minerals in saliva help repair this damage, but frequent acid attacks don’t allow enough time for recovery. Over time, vital minerals like calcium and phosphate are lost, leaving enamel weakened for longer periods and more vulnerable to bacterial damage and decay.
Why Frequent Sugar Matters More Than Amount
The restoration process for softened enamel requires time without exposure to sugar and starches. This means, snacking and sipping sugary drinks slowly create a higher cavity risk than eating and drinking quickly, then rinsing with water. Teeth cannot remineralize when exposure continues. Therefore, even small amounts of sweets and starches throughout the day increase cavity risk.
Takeaway: Don’t graze!
Hidden Sources of Sugar That Increase Cavity Risk
Limit or omit these tasty treats from your daily diet:
- Sports drinks
- Colas
- Juices
- Alcoholic beverages
- Crackers and bready foods (starches)
- Sweets and sugary foods (also starches)
- Foods that stick to your teeth
- Processed foods
Instead, try these snacks and drinks:
- Water (plain or infused with lemon, cucumber, or mint)
- Milk or unsweetened plant-based alternatives
- Cheese and yogurt (help neutralize acids)
- Fresh vegetables (crunchy options help stimulate saliva)
- Whole fruits eaten with meals rather than alone
- Nuts and seeds
- Lean proteins like eggs, chicken, or fish
- Sugar-free gum with xylitol to boost saliva flow
Reduce Your Risk for Cavities
If you do not do these tasks, it’s important to work toward them so that you can reduce your risk of tooth decay:
- Brush morning and evening with fluoridated toothpaste
- Floss before evening brushing, daily
- Drink water after meals and snacks
- Limit sugar exposure time
- Attend six-month checkups and cleanings
- Follow through with treatment plans
- Report any new oral abnormalities to Dr. Horblitt’s office
Schedule with Your Fairfield Dentist Today!
Give us a call now to learn more about achieving and maintaining great oral health, fresh breath, and a head-turning smile. Dr. Horblitt is a general dentist and prosthodontist serving families in the Fairfield, CT, area. Our team is dedicated to patient comfort and relationships that lead to better health and quality of life. Call us today at (203) 335-1011.
