Can You Reverse Sugar Damage To Your Teeth?

Sugar is a major problem for our teeth and can cause a lot of issues. Is there anything that can be done to minimise its impact?

From being very young, most of us are told how bad sugar is for our teeth. This is often said at least partially in the hope that we avoid eating too many sweets, but is also very true. Sugar is everywhere too, especially these days. In the past it would have been in cakes and sweets etc but these days can be in convenience foods and takeaways too. Even the most savoury food might contain tooth damaging levels of sugar in them.

While we don’t expect patients of SG Dental and Implant Centre to quit sugar altogether, reducing the amount that we eat is a positive thing. In today’s blog, we are going to take a look at the damage caused by sugar and what your dental clinic in Burton can do to help you where damage has already occurred.

How does sugar harm your teeth?

To most of us, sugar is a pleasant taste and feels harmless. While it is true that there is no immediate impact when we eat it, such as we might experience with a burning mouth if we eat a chilli, sugar will certainly cause problems, especially if we don’t take care to clean our teeth as well as we should do.

The fact is that sugars often remain in our mouth after eating or drinking, and coat the teeth and gums. While they are present, they are used as a fuel supply by the bacteria that live in our mouth. As these consume the sugars, acids are produced as a by-product and it is this which actually causes the harm. This acid then wears down the tooth enamel, causing demineralisation which eventually is likely to lead to the formation of cavities.

Some people eat sugar with no ill effects though….

This can be true. The fact is that saliva helps our teeth to remineralise after eating, and fluoride also helps to strengthen the tooth enamel. Immediate consumption of water will also help to wash away some initial sugars. This, combined with consuming as little sugar as you can, and brushing and flossing your teeth will significantly increase your chances of avoiding, or at least delaying, issues such as tooth decay. Unfortunately, most of us do eat too much sugar and this often catches up with us, leaving us requiring restorative dental treatments.

How can we help?

While early stage demineralisation can be avoided or minimised, most people will end up with at least a cavity or two during their lifetime and often worse. Regular dentist check ups are important in preventing or at least keeping these to a minimum, as are regular appointments with our Burton dental hygienist. This, and good home oral care can really help but we can also help when things have gone past this point.

When tooth decay strikes and cavities are formed, the main restorative treatment that we provide are fillings. These can be the standard amalgam ones, or, increasingly popular, the tooth coloured fillings that we are able to offer. Advances in these have made them not only more aesthetically pleasing, but also almost as strong as amalgam ones which are very visible. The important thing with cavities is to treat them as soon as possible. A small cavity can be filled with a small filling, but if left too long, the cavity may require a larger filling and potentially weaken the tooth. In some cases, it may be more advantageous to restore it using a crown instead.

Where enamel has worn away from the front of your teeth, you are likely to feel some sensitivity when you eat or drink hot or cold food products. This sensation can range from mild discomfort to quite sharp pain. Your teeth will also be less well protected from tooth decay. In most cases, the best solution for this will be to attach porcelain veneers to the front of your teeth to replace the damaged enamel. This is a very effective way of providing a natural looking tooth and offering significant protection.

In summary then, minimising your sugar intake is a good way to go, as is making sure that you brush and floss your teeth as well as seeing the dentist and hygienist at SG Dental and Implant Centre. It is good news though to know that when things do go wrong, we are always here to help you restore your damaged teeth.

If you don’t currently have an appointment with one of our dentists or hygienists and would like to book one, why not contact us today on 01283 845345.