The holiday season is here. This special time of year has much to offer regarding food and “sweet treats,” from punch to cookies, candy, and chocolate. Although it is perfectly fine to indulge in the sweeter things in life, we do not want to overdo it! Overconsumption of sugary foods and drinks can be bad for our teeth, and no one wants to start the new year off with cavities and tooth pain. Instead, enjoy sweets and sugar in moderation and practice good oral home care habits.
History of Sugar and Cavities Americans
sure do enjoy sweets! Last year, Americans spent over $48 billion on sweets, while more than 98% of Americans purchased chocolate, candy, gum, and mints.1 Throughout history, even as early as Aristotle, there have been reports about sugar and its link to dental cavities. Back then, cavities were caused by natural sugars from honey, syrup, and dried fruit. Although some knowledge existed about sugar and dental decay, official research was limited. It was not until 1950 when major candy industries finally acknowledged that sugar consumption causes tooth decay, which led to more extensive research in the 1960s and 1970s. As more information began to surface, dental professionals recommended avoiding sugary foods and drinks. In response to this recommendation, candy industries began funding more research on cavity prevention. Over time, researchers discovered the benefits of fluoride and how it could help prevent cavities.
Sugar Bugs and Fluoride
Human mouths have over seven hundred types of different bacteria, and each has a different role in how it influences the health of our mouth. One bacterium known as Streptococcus mutans (or “sugar bugs”) is known to cause dental cavities.3 S. mutans love to eat sugar, and it uses sugar for everything, you could say its life depends on it. When we consume less sugar, we have fewer “sugar bugs” in our mouths because the bacteria cannot survive without sugar. S. mutans live in the plaque and biofilm that cover our teeth, so another way to get rid of these bugs is by brushing and flossing the plaque off our teeth. In addition to good brushing and flossing techniques, fluoride can help strengthen our teeth. Teeth are like sponges and can absorb nutrients and fluids from inside the mouth. Every time we use a fluoridated toothpaste or product, our teeth absorb fluoride. Once absorbed, the fluoride becomes a part of the tooth structure and makes it stronger. Stronger teeth are more resistant to the effects of S. mutans and, as a result, are less likely to have cavities.
Risk Versus Protective Factors
It is okay to indulge in sweets occasionally! However, it is important to prioritize good habits that outweigh the not-so-good ones. When we consume sugar, we put our teeth at risk for dental issues. The best way to counteract the effects of sugar and acid on our teeth is to adopt more protective factors or healthy behaviors. For instance, brushing our teeth in a circular motion twice a day for two minutes each time will help remove plaque and bacteria from the surface of our teeth. Using fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinse will also protect our teeth from the harmful effects of sugar. Other examples of protective factors include drinking water throughout the day and avoiding sweetened beverages before bed (opt for plain milk or water only).5 Additionally, it is recommended to limit the amount of sugar in your diet to one or two items per day. Fresh fruit is also a great option for satisfying a 'sugar craving.' Lastly, it is important to visit your dentist twice a year for an exam and cleaning to ensure that your teeth stay healthy. X-rays taken during the dental exam can help detect cavities while they are small, resulting in faster treatment and interventions. Dental cleanings will help remove plaque and hardened plaque (calculus) that you may have missed with your toothbrush.
Let us make a New Year's resolution together and avoid unpleasant dental visits by enjoying sweets responsibly! Prioritize habits that will protect your teeth rather than harm them. Limit the number of sugary items you consume each day, substitute artificial sugars with natural ones (like fruit), brush and floss twice a day after meals and before bedtime, use fluoride toothpaste every time you brush, and drink plenty of water. Also, do not forget to visit your dentist at least twice a year to keep those pearly whites shining! We only have two sets of teeth, and one of them is supposed to last us a lifetime.
Elizabeth Flores, RDH, is a dental care provider who joined the Peak Vista team in 2018. Her care philosophy involves listening to her patients to understand why they came in and what they hope to gain from the visit. Each interaction establishes empathy and builds compassion. By using effective communication, she can diagnose an effective approach to treatment.
For appointment scheduling or further information about Peak Vista services, please visit peakvista.org or call (719) 632-5700.
References
- National Confectioners Association (NCA). 2024, March 11. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sales-of-chocolate-and-candy-reach-all-time-high-of-48-billion-in-2023-302085375.html
- Kearns, C. E., Glantz, S. A., & Schmidt, L. A. (2015). Sugar industry influence on the scientific agenda of the National Institute of Dental Research's 1971 National Caries Program: a historical analysis of internal documents. PLoS medicine, 12(3), e1001798. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001798
- Colgate Global Scientific Communications. (2023, Jan. 9). Oral bacteria: what lives in your mouth? https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/mouth-and-teeth-anatomy/oral-bacteria-what-lives-in-your-mouth#
- Nassar Y, Brizuela M. The Role of Fluoride on Caries Prevention. [Updated 2023 Mar 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587342/
- Olczak-Kowalczyk, D., Gozdowski, D., & Turska-Szybka, A. (2021). Protective Factors for Early Childhood Caries in 3-Year-Old Children in Poland. Frontiers in pediatrics, 9, 583660. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2021.583660
