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://dentalimplantsoakland.com or call Oakland Dental Implant Center at (510) 257-2284 for an appointment in our Oakland office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Family Dentist.
Want to understand the importance of using a family dentist? Family dentists tend to play a large role in their patients' good oral health.Looking for a new family dentist in Oakland? Even though there are many types of dentists that families can choose from nowadays, many are choosing a family dentist to provide them with…
A family dentist is a great resource to utilize when looking for ways to practice good oral hygiene. Both adults and children need to practice good oral hygiene on a daily basis to ensure that their teeth and gums remain in good shape. Outside of visiting a family dentist on a regular basis, there are…
Wondering how important an emergency dentist is when you are experiencing a dental emergency? They can mean the difference between you losing a tooth and saving a tooth.A dentist who decides to offer their patients emergency dental services is a dentist who understands the importance of immediate dental care. It will simply depend on the…
If an individual injures a tooth in an accident, an emergency room will be able to stop the bleeding but will not repair or even possibly be able to save the tooth itself. Therefore, once the individual can return home and leave the emergency room, the patient needs to call an emergency dentist. A dentist…
Considering implant supported dentures? This hybrid tooth replacement option is one that has grown in popularity over the years. It offers individuals with an entire arch of missing teeth a replacement option that provides stability, good aesthetics and an overall healthy jaw. These benefits make implant supported dentures an option to highly consider. Keep reading…
A bone graft is a surgical procedure for correcting issues with bones or joints. It involves transplanting bone tissue to a deficient area and is beneficial for bones that are damaged or lost due to trauma or tooth loss. Advances in dental technique and technology have made the procedure easier and effective for stimulating jawbone…