Where Sugar May Be Hiding in Your Diet to Harm Your Teeth

When you eat or drink too much sugar, they have linked it to several health issues like obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and others.

But what most people don’t look out for is the havoc on your teeth and your gums. If your mom ever said those cookies will rot your teeth, she was spot on. As much as those Samoan Girl Scout cookies are delicious, without moderation, you can find yourself in a dentist quickly. 

Hidden Sugar In Your Diet

Statistics support dental decay as the most prevalent childhood disease. They organized research in Ireland, and five-year-olds in a fluoridated area experienced decay in 37% of the group. By the age of 15, they had 75% percent of the group with tooth decay. While hard candies seem harmless, eat too many, and the perpetual exposure to sugar can be harmful to your teeth. So even though a squeeze of lemon or lime can turn a simple glass of water into a fun beverage, citrus fruits and juices leave acid on the teeth, further assisting the decay process.

Foods To Look Out For

Not all coffee is healthy for you. In their natural form, coffee and tea can be healthy beverage choices. Unfortunately, too many people can’t resist adding sugar. In picking healthy snacks, many people put dried fruit at the top of the list. However, many dried fruits are sticky. Sticky foods can damage your teeth since they stay on the teeth longer than other types of food. Who doesn’t love the nice, satisfying crunch of a potato chip?

Unfortunately, potato chips are filled with starch, which gets trapped in your teeth. Swap out soda with water when you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks for long periods of time, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel. As long as you use moderation with sugar foods followed up with washing your mouth with water, you can protect your mouth from damage.

If you think you may have come down with a cavity or to, simply arrange a checkup. Call us today. We would be happy to take part in your oral care.