Protect Your Teeth From Sugar

Happy spooky season! The leaves are changing, everything comes in pumpkin spice flavors, we’re breaking out the cozy sweaters, and Halloween candy is readily available at the grocery store. 

Whether you’re stocking up on candy corn, taking advantage of discounted chocolates, or helping your little ones pick out the perfect costume for trick-or-treating, chances are you’re giving in to your sweet tooth. 

We’re here to tell you nothing wrong with indulging in the sweet treats of the season — 5lb bags of Sour Patch Kids are only available for a limited time.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that sugar can have lasting effects on your body, especially your teeth!

Sugar — What Is It, Really?

Sugar, also known by its chemical name “sucrose”, is a carbohydrate that is produced naturally by plants during photosynthesis. Sugar is naturally found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. 

Carbohydrates, like other macronutrients, help your body by creating consumable energy. 

Some sugar is natural, and some sugar is processed and refined by humans. 

Is Sugar Bad For You?

Sugar isn’t necessarily “bad” for you.

There is, however, a limit to how much sugar experts recommend consuming on a daily basis. For example, it’s considered a moderate intake if you get about 10% of your daily energy intake from sugar. 

Too much sugar, especially processed and refined sugar commonly found in candy and other snacks, can cause health problems including obesity over time. 

Is Sugar Bad For Your Teeth?  

In short, yes.  Tooth decay is closely linked to how much sugar you consume. Studies have shown that a direct, linear relationship can be proven between the amount of sugar you eat or drink and the health of your teeth. 

Bacteria love sugar. So while it’s not the sugar directly causing the harm, sugar is basically a magnet for all the other gross stuff that can live inside of your mouth. 

A chain reaction is triggered when oral bacteria and sugar meet, which starts with bacteria producing acid when they hit sugar. 

Acid, unsuprisingly, is bad for your teeth. Acid breaks down the protective coat on your teeth, called enamel. This process is called demineralization. 

Over time, demineralization leads to cavities, small holes in your teeth caused by decay. Without treatment, cavities can become deeper, cause pain, and even possible tooth loss in extreme cases. 

How To Prevent Damage from Sugar

It’s actually relatively easy to prevent sugar from causing harm to your teeth!

The first step is to limit how much you consume. Treating yourself on Halloween won’t immediately cause all your teeth to rot and fall out, but consistently eating more than the recommended daily sugar intake will eventually do some damage. 

Another way you can prevent sugar from damaging your teeth is to brush your teeth regularly. Brushing your teeth helps remove sugar, food particles, and other potentially harmful substances from your mouth. 

A high-quality toothpaste like ours can also help support your oral health by avoiding artificial and toxic ingredients. 

Happy Halloween!