Consuming lots of sugar from foods and beverages increases your risk of developing oral health issues like gum disease and tooth decay. Tooth decay is a common dental issue and gum disease usually results in tooth loss. 

Oral health issues are linked with other health issues like lung and heart infections and pneumonia. Also, living with oral disease can impact your quality of life and psychological well-being. This makes it important to know how sugar affects your oral health. Maryville, TN dental services include education on the importance of avoiding sugar to your oral and overall health. 

How Bad is Sugar to Your Teeth?

Sugar tends to react with the bacteria in your mouth. The acid that these bacteria produce rots your teeth. This means that sugar does not cause direct damage to your teeth. Rather the bacteria in your mouth that feed on sugar are to blame. Such bacteria can convert the sugar in your mouth into acids that can dissolve your teeth’s protective outer layer, causing tooth decay. 

Tooth pain and sensitivity are common symptoms of tooth decay. Also, you will notice brown, yellow, or white bands on the teeth near the gum line if you have tooth decay. When not managed promptly, tooth decay can lead to the formation of cavities, exposing the tooth pulp. Your dentist can recommend a dental filling or root canal therapy to restore your damaged tooth and get rid of the infection. A seriously decayed tooth must need to be extracted to protect the rest of your natural teeth. 

If the acid-producing bacteria continue to thrive in your mouth and spread to your gum line, they can infect or irritate your gums, resulting in gum disease. This condition can cause your gums to look swollen or red, bleed, or feel itchy. Regular dental checkups are necessary to identify oral health issues and manage them before they progress. 

Are You Consuming Too Much Sugar?

A lot of foods and beverages contain sugar. In fact, even fruits contain sugar. However, such natural sugars may not cause tooth decay as long as you maintain good oral hygiene. However, the sugar in some products can be an issue, particularly when consumed in excess. 

Some snacks such as fruits have nutritional benefits that tend to outweigh the unpleasant effects of sugar. Thus, cutting out sugar from your diet may not be recommended. However, the majority of people consume too much sugar. 

Because children have developing teeth and softer enamel, they are susceptible to tooth decay. According to experts, the issue lies in the amount of sugar you consume and how frequently you consume it. Consuming sugar throughout the day is more detrimental than having a one-time treat.