Sugar – and its influence on dental health

February 25

When it comes to dental health, reducing sugar in food is usually the top priority. It's no big secret that sugar is bad for your teeth. Finding your way through the information jungle of the Internet and separating truth from misinformation is sometimes not that easy. That is why we have put together the most important and relevant information here in a clear overview. We also want to go into the role of fluoride and toothpastes containing fluoride.

How tooth decay and sugar are related

With the different types of sugar A distinction is made between single, double and multiple sugars. This is a distinction based on the number of carbon atoms in the sugar. Carbon is an important component of sugar. Simple sugars, also called monosaccharides, are also called fructose or glucose in everyday life. Double sugars, so-called disaccharides, are mainly household sugar, lactose or malt sugar. Multiple sugars with long-chain carbon compounds are also called starch and are found in potatoes, for example. The following is primarily about single and double sugars.  

In addition to some other types of sugar, table sugar is primarily a sweet-tasting, crystalline food. It is often obtained from plants and consists of sucrose. In modified form as glucose, it is involved in almost all energy-consuming processes in the body and is therefore essential for survival. A distinction is made between different types of sugar, such as glucose or maltose.

Research now agreesthat the breakdown of fermentable carbohydrates, which include sugars as well as starch, results in tooth decay. Certain bacteria form special acids by breaking down carbohydrates, which damage tooth enamel. Researchers call this demineralization. Tooth enamel is the uppermost protective layer of the teeth and protects the teeth from external influences. If the tooth enamel is damaged by acid, the teeth can be attacked again. Then so-called fissures can easily develop, these are small holes in the tooth surface.

Which is the deciding factor

In the food industry in particular, naturally occurring sugars are often advertised. This suggests that it is something good or less harmful. But therein lies a common fallacy. It has now been shown that it is not the type of sugar that is decisive for dental health, but the frequency with which it is consumed. So how often I eat starchy or sugary foods plays a much bigger role than what kind of sugar or starch is in those foods.

Frequent food intake therefore promotes a frequent acid attack on the teeth and can therefore rightly be described as the decisive factor. So if you eat too often, the remineralizing effect of the saliva no longer has a chance. Remineralizing is the name given to the enamel-building effect, which is the opposite of demineralization.

How fluoride affects teeth

Teeth and also the important tooth enamel consist of the two elements calcium and phosphate ions. Fluorides – and thus also toothpastes containing fluoride – now help to incorporate calcium phosphates from the saliva into the tooth enamel more quickly and are therefore an important remineralization factor. Furthermore, a protective layer of calcium fluoride is also actively formed around the teeth. This in turn inhibits demineralization because the metabolism and growth of caries bacteria are impaired.

With regular dental care and the use of fluorides, there are no major problems for the teeth, even with today's usual eating habits. The teeth remain intact. Regular visits to the dentist are still recommended.

For all those who want to have not only healthy but also white teeth, it is worth taking a look at the OnlySmile website. There will be offers high quality cosmetic teeth whitening products at low prices.

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