How Does Sugar Cause Tooth Decay?

Bacteria in our mouths use sugars as their food source. The bacteria that cause tooth decay are unable to use proteins, fats or fibre to survive. Consequently, a diet high in whole grains, meats, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables & dairy foods is a diet that is unlikely to contribute to tooth decay. Incidentally, this is also a diet most nutritionists would recommend for good overall health.

Once the bacteria in our mouths have used the sugars in our diet, they produce acid as a waste product. It is actually the acid that softens the hard outer shell of the tooth (enamel). Eventually the enamel cavitates and the bacteria enter the tooth.

The process of acid softening happens every time we eat something with sugar.

This process is called demineralisation. Our saliva contains bicarbonate (a base), which neutralises the acid. But the saliva can only do so much. The more times we eat sugar during the day the more time our teeth spend undergoing demineralisation.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Preventing tooth decay involves limiting the total amount of sugar we eat. If possible try to have any sweet foods at one time during each day. Also it would be best to have that sweet treat after dinner and brush the teeth afterwards.

The sugars and bacteria are removed immediately, and the fluoride in toothpaste will assist in the process of remineralisation. Alternatively, if you are out for lunch or dinner, a drink of water and a stick of sugar free gum will also help reduce the effects of demineralisation.

Contact your Beenleigh Dentist today!

Alex Bratic Dental Care is conveniently located on City Road at Beenleigh. We are close to transport and our onsite parking is free and very easy to access.

For all Health Fund Members our HICAPS facility enables payments to be processed at the time of the appointment, which means members, are only required to pay the difference between the charged fee & the Health Fund Rebate (gap fee).