Any family dentist will warn you of the dangers of sugar for teeth. Too much sugar can bring a host of issues for your general health in addition to problems in oral health. For your mouth, sugar can mean tooth decay, cavities and even disease.
Sugar substitutes flood the market in an effort to fight the common health problems caused by sugar, but are these any better for your teeth? Here, a family dentist weighs in on the effects of sugar substitutes on tooth health.
Excess sugar can be harmful to teeth. Consuming too much sugar without precaution can lead to enamel erosion, cavities or tooth decay.
Mouths are filled with bacteria. While many bacteria are useful and essential to wellbeing, there are some bacteria present that can be bad for oral health. Sugar can exacerbate the issue because the bacteria are drawn to sugars. According to the ADA, bacteria will break down sugar and produce acid, which is harmful to tooth enamel.
While sugar can be harmful to teeth, certain sugar substitutes provide many benefits for oral health. However, substitutes like honey or maple syrup will have the same effects as sugar, so use caution when choosing a sugar substitute.
Whereas sugar attracts bad bacteria, some sugar substitutes, such as polyols, have antibacterial properties. According to The New York Times, many polyols cannot be broken down by bacteria like sugar can be. As a result, the bacteria cannot produce the acid that leads to the wear and tear of tooth enamel.
However, a study in the British Dental Journal found that if polyol-containing products also contain acidic flavoring, there is still a risk of enamel erosion and tooth decay. Consume with care and in moderation.
Sugar substitutes, particularly artificial sweeteners, have a questionable reputation when it comes to overall health. For instance, although cyclamate, a type of artificial sweetener, has been linked to bladder cancer, the connection of other artificial sweeteners is not definitive. The National Cancer Institute says that there is not clear evidence that many sweeteners are linked to cancer in humans. There are multiple studies that have found a connection between artificial sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame to cancer in rats, but mechanistic studies have found this applies only to rats, not humans.
Be sure to talk to your doctor and family dentist to choose the best sweetener option for you.
Both sugar and sugar substitutes have their own downfalls, but sugar substitutes can have various benefits for oral health. Either way, consume added sweeteners with moderation and stick to a healthy diet of whole foods for the best oral and overall health. If you have a sweet tooth that you just need to satisfy, be sure to get advice from your family dentist on the best sugar substitute for you.
Request an appointment here: https://www.cosmeticdentistoffice.com or call Rachel Cole DDS PC at (503) 248-1114 for an appointment in our Portland office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Family Dentist.
If you have recently gotten braces from the family dentist, you will probably be aware of the hassles of cleaning them. The braces’ brackets are bonded to the tooth’s surface, limiting the reach of the toothbrush and making it harder to clean the teeth thoroughly. Nevertheless, you still need to keep the braces as it…
Your child may have anxiety in advance of their first visit with a family dentist. You can help your child manage their nerves by learning what to expect during the visit and how you can prepare your child. This review offers insights into the process of your child’s first family dentist visit and what to…
A family dentist is the person to talk to if you or a family member has one or more decayed teeth. These oral professionals have the necessary training and experience to provide dental services to all your family members.Acids made by oral bacteria cause tooth decay by eating away at teeth structures. Bacteria convert the…
Considering choosing a family dentist as your new primary dental provider? Family dentists offer many benefits. One of the more common types of treatments they perform is addressing toothaches.Learning the benefits a family dentist in Portland can offer you is the first step to take when in need of a new local dentist. Family dentists…
When your mouth has been worn down due to years of wear and tear, dental restoration can help you get your smile back and improve your oral health. Even if we do not think about it, we rely on our teeth, tongue, gums, jaw, and throat for more than we realize, and keeping all these…
Are you thinking about getting invisible braces? Also known as clear aligners, many people are choosing this type of braces to straighten their teeth. The fact that there are many choices for straightening one’s teeth nowadays means that those living with crooked teeth have choices.It is now simply a matter of choosing which of the…