Tooth Decay and Sugar

While sugar’s negative impact on teeth isn’t too surprising, here are some ways to limit its intake.

 

There are some shocking statistics out there about tooth decay. Did you know, that 92 percent of adults 20 to 64, 59 percent of children 12 to 19, and 42 percent of children two to 11 have all had dental decay? It’s no wonder with statistics such as these that tooth decay remains one of the most prevalent chronic problems in patients of all ages.

 

While you know that brushing and flossing are major staples for a healthy mouth—as are regular dental checkups—where you might be falling flat is your diet. We all crave sugar from time to time; however, you may not even realize certain foods contain sugar, which are secretly eating away at your teeth’s enamel. Avoid these foods and drinks to keep a cavity-free mouth:

 

So you might be wondering how dried fruit and fruit juice made the list; after all, isn’t fruit supposed to be good for you? Of course fresh fruit and even milk naturally contain sugar; however, these canned and dried items have had a significant amount of sugar added to them. While this added sugar taste great, it can promote tooth decay. If you want to enjoy the real benefits of fruits, then get something fresh from the produce aisle and skip the packaged stuff.

 

Being aware of how much sugar you consume and how often you consume it will help you to make the necessary changes to your lifestyle to help prevent tooth decay. Of course, our Allentown dental practice is always here to answer any questions you have and to see to it that you get your dental cleaning every six months. Nothing’s more important that coming in for your biannual visit.

 

Prevention is the best medicine against tooth decay, but the sooner your Allentown, PA dentist can treat it, the better off your smile will be.

 

Are you a patient of Sanford Center for Total Health Dentistry? If so, we would love to hear about your experiences below!