Sugar and Oral Health: How to Prevent Sugar Damage
More and more Australians are now consuming sugar, and sugar consumption is prevalent in teenagers. Therefore overall levels of sugar consumption are expected to rise as teenagers who often consume sugars grow into adulthood.
Understanding the role of sugar for your health is key to managing its risks. If you become aware of the sugars you take, you can help control health risks associated with it such as tooth decay, obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
How Do Cavities Develop?
Your teeth are under attack from acids that destroy your tooth enamel through demineralisation.
Demineralisation occurs when the mouth pH drops to 5.5 or below. The normal mouth pH level is 7.5. The demineralisation process is primarily caused by two bacteria, which are the streptococci mutans and lactobacilli. These cavity-causing bacteria, also called cariogenic bacteria, are primarily fuelled by dietary sugars, which include sucrose, glucose, fructose and cooked starches.
Cariogenic bacteria penetrate the tooth enamel. If they are allowed to thrive they eventually reach all the way through to its deepest layer. This results in cavities, which cause pain and eventual tooth loss.
You Can Prevent Sugar Damage
The best way to lessen the impact of sugar on you teeth and body is to consume less sugar and not let it remain in your mouth for too long. Here are some other things you can do to prevent sugar damage:
- Consume sugary foods quickly and less often
- Replace table sugar with xylitol
- After eating sugary or starchy foods, brush and floss directly
- Use a straw when drinking acidic and sugary beverages
- Drink or swish your mouth with water right after drinking sugary beverages
- Eat less sugar-laden foods and consume more fruits and vegetables
- Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings
Comprehensive Oral Health Care at Bondi Dental
At Bondi Dental, we know what the effects of overconsumption of sugar are and how to deal with them. More important, our dental professionals are aware of how to prevent and repair all forms of damage to teeth. Your trusted Bondi dentist can recommend a complete dental care program, which involves dental home-care, diet, and cleaning and treatment inside our modern dental office.
Bondi Dental only uses cutting-edge technology and latest techniques for routine dental cleaning, gum health and restorative dental procedures. Also, you will receive a dental examination to diagnose any oral health problems you might have and develop a long-term dental care to keep your teeth pain-free from the damage brought about sugars and other damaging factors.
We are conveniently located in the Sydney area, at Bondi Beach in the city of Bondi. We offer high quality dental services to the local Bondi community and surrounding areas. Bondi Dental provides free parking facilities at the rear of the building.
Contact us today to claim your FREE Dental Consultation including a complete dental check-up. We also provide services under the Bulk Bill Child Benefit Schedule (up to $1,000 over a two-year period for children ages 2 to 17).
Call (02) 9365 7187 or easily and quickly book your appointment online. Bondi Dental is a group of professionals who have combined experience of over 60 years in all aspects of dentistry.
Call your Bondi dentist on (02) 9365 7187 or book your appointment online.
Visit us at 134 Curlewis St in Bondi Beach.