As the moon rises on Halloween, you may notice that you, your family and friends suddenly start to develop a powerful sweet tooth or maybe even fangs. While the craving for “blood” … sorry we mean sugar, becomes almost impossible to resist, it’s important to know what feasting on those sugary treats does to your precious pearly fangs. Understanding how these sugar loving beasties attack your teeth will empower you to protect yourself and fight back against their spooky, cavity – creating consequences.
Wait, it wasn’t just sugar all along?!
Despite our best efforts, the sugary reign of terror over teeth continues, lurking in almost every food and drink we consume. Yes, we’ve managed to spread the message that eating too much sugar is bas for your teeth”, and while that statement is true, it doesn’t tell the whole story. In reality, excessive sugar consumption triggers a microscopic chain reaction inside your mouth, that if left unchecked, can summon dental caries (also known as cavities or tooth decay).
Summary:
Too much sugar doesn’t directly “hurt your teeth” it sets off a complex series of biochemical reactions in your mouth can lead to cavities.
The Big Bad: Bacteria -aaahhhhh!!!!
On a microscopic level, your mouth is home to hundreds of different bacteria, most of which live quite peacefully. There are some sugar-loving bacteria that settle into plaque (that thin sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth) and they absolutely thrive on the leftover sugars that remain after you eat. As they feast on sugar, these bacteria produce acidic by products, this of it like their own ectoplasmic slime – and this acid slowly dissolves your tooth enamel, the strong protective outer layer of your teeth. Over time this acid erosion begins as tiny pits in the enamel, which silently expands and deepens until they eventually form cavities. If these cavities re left untreated by your Dentist (or sugar exorcist, if we’re staying in Halloween theme), they can progress into the deeper parts of the tooth leading to pain, infection and even tooth loss.
Summary:
These sugar-loving bacteria turn leftover sugar into acid, which slowly eats holes in your teeth and causes cavities if not treated.
The Resistance: Saliva
Saliva, believe it or not, is the body’s natural defence against the dark arts of bacteria and their acidic by-products. It helps neutralise these acids and begins repairing early damage through a protective process called remineralisation. Saliva naturally contains calcium and phosphates, which are essential minerals that help rebuild weakened enamel. However, when sugar intake is too frequent or too high, saliva can’t keep up and it becomes unable to buffer the constant waves of acid produced by these sugar loving bacteria.
Summary:
Saliva normally repairs and protects teeth from acid, but if you have too much sugar too often, it can’t keep up and tooth damage begins.
Brush up on the basics – Wards against dental cavities
- Brushing teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with fluorinated toothpaste and flossing daily
- Drinking plenty of water (especially right after eating a lil’ sweet treat)
- Limiting excessive sugar feasting (Whether that be drinking or eating)
- Avoiding sticky sugary foods that are likely to get stuck between your fangs
- Try and eat sugary treats around meals
Don’t let the sugary fiends win this Halloween! Keep your fangs blindingly bright by booking your post-Halloween check-up today with one of our friendly Dentists at the Highgate Hill Dental Centre.
Call us on: (07) 3844 607: or
Email us at: Reception@highgatehilldentist.com.au or:
Book online: https://highgatehilldentalcentre.portal.dental/
