Undeniably, sugar is bad for your teeth. To put it in simple words, we all know eating too much sugar can lead to tooth decay. However, few are conscious of exactly how that happens. It’s not that sugar itself that does the damage. It is the chain of events that takes place after you eat sugary items.
Generally, kids and even adults fail to notice the warnings about the effects of sugar on teeth.
This blog intends to explain how taking certain actions can check tooth decay from damaging your family’s oral health.
What Is Tooth Decay?
To put it in simple words, Tooth decay is the breakdown of teeth because of acids made by bacteria. In particular, the bacteria there on our teeth consume the sugar from the food we eat. It subsequently, creates acid. As soon as this acid hits our teeth, it starts decaying.
How Tooth Damage Occurs?
Sugar-sweetened beverages have high levels of sugar. Accordingly, when we drink these it significantly contributes to tooth decay. Soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit drinks, sports drinks, and fruit juices have high acid levels. These items may subsequently cause tooth erosion. Tooth erosion occurs as acid attacks the teeth to break up the outer surface of tooth enamel. Most importantly, habitual loss of enamel can cause cavities. Besides, exposure to the inner layers of the tooth makes it sensitive and painful.
Prevention of enamel loss is exceedingly essential for the long-term health of your teeth. Dentists say each acid attack lasts for around 20 minutes. To put it in simple words, every time you take a sip of a sweet drink or chew a candy the acid damage begins.
What Are the Symptoms of Tooth Decay?
- Toothache: You may feel an incessant pain keeping you awake all night; otherwise infrequent sharp pain without an evident reason.
- Tooth Sensitivity: you may sense pain or tenderness while you eat or drink something hot, cold, or sweet
- Visible holes or pits in your teeth
- Bad breath or halitosis
- Pain when you bite down
- Grey, brown, or black stains appearing on your teeth
- A distasteful taste in your mouth
Treatments to Reduce Tooth Decay Caused by Sugar
Fluoride Gel: If you are at the early stage of tooth decay, your dentist will guide you about the amount of sugar in your diet. Glendale Dentist may advise you to apply a fluoride gel, a paste, or varnish to the area. To put it in simple words, Fluoride helps to shield teeth by strengthening the enamel. It accordingly, makes your teeth more resistant to acids. Subsequently, the tooth can be prevented from decay from plaque.
Crowns: Your Dentist in Glendale may consider a filling or crowning for you. This involves offering a local anesthetic to remove tooth decay.
Root Canal: The dentist applies root canal treatment if tooth decay has spread to the pulp (in the center of the tooth, containing blood and nerves).
Removal: In the most horrible cases, if the tooth is so badly damaged that it can’t be reinstated, the dentist may choose to remove it. The dentist can substitute the tooth with a partial denture, implant, or bridge.
Limit sugar intake. Besides, brush away bacteria-filled plaque on a regular basis. Consume healthy foods that make the teeth stronger. Consider regular dental visits and fluoride treatments.
Your Trusted Partner for Glendale Tooth Decay
If you would like any further information about reducing sugar damage to teeth, contact Smile Makeover of LA. Call on 8185782332 to book an appointment with Dr. Sahakyan, your Dentist in Glendale. With him, it is always possible to put a stop to tooth decay with the right treatment.