We all know sugar isn’t good for you teeth, but the question is,
why is this so? Sugar is associated with tooth decay. This means that the
bacteria on teeth that create plaque get their energy from sugar. Therefore the
more sugar we intake, the more energy bacteria have to turn into plaque! Some
bacteria even then use sugar to as glue, and therefore the bacteria sticks to
your teeth. Saliva helps to wash away the bacteria from your teeth, but due to
it being glued to your teeth it doesn’t come off as easily.
So why is formation of plaque bad? This is because our teeth are
covered in enamel. Enamel is what protects our teeth and keeps them strong.
When plaque is formed on teeth it creates acid, and this acid is what breaks
down the enamel on our teeth. This leaves us with less and less enamel, which
eventually leads to holes, or cavities in our teeth. The holes can get bigger,
resulting in big cavities.
Now you’re probably thinking, oh no, do I have to give up
cookies, cake, ice cream, and all my favorite sweets in order to avoid
cavities? Well, the answer is, no, sugar does not have to be completely avoided
(what a relief…), but yes, it does have to be monitored in order to maintain
cavity free teeth.
Here are a couple of steps to insure you can still enjoy some
sugar in your life, while keeping your teeth in good condition:
·
Maintain regular dental check ups. A toothbrush cannot always
wash off all plaque. Dentists reach spots in our teeth to make sure all the
plaque is gone.
·
After eating sugar, make sure you brush your teeth to remove the
sugar from your teeth. This should be done after eating sweets, as well as in
the morning and night.
·
Limit your sugar intake; for example, try your coffee without
sugar in the morning for once!
·
Floss your teeth to get any sugar that is stuck in between your
teeth.
Now go on and enjoy your dessert tonight, but make sure your brush well!
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