Contents:
- Medical Video: Does SUGAR really cause CAVITIES or Dental Decay?.....Maybe NOT! Have the best oral health!
- Is it true that sweet foods cause cavities?
- Why is sweet food one of the causes of cavities?
- Should you avoid sweets?
- How to minimize cavities?
Medical Video: Does SUGAR really cause CAVITIES or Dental Decay?.....Maybe NOT! Have the best oral health!
Sweet foods cause cavities. Very often we don't hear statements like that? But is that really true? To the extent that, when we are small, we are prohibited from eating too much candy or chocolate. Are only sweet foods causing dental problems?
READ ALSO: 6 Natural Treatments for Overcoming Cavities
Is it true that sweet foods cause cavities?
Actually the main cause of cavities is not sugar. Cavities caused by bacteria that live in the mouth. These bacteria eat away the remnants of carbohydrates in our teeth. The remnants include sweet foods that you eat, such as sugar found in cookies (cookies), sweets, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Why is sweet food one of the causes of cavities?
Sugar includes carbohydrates. When these carbohydrates are digested, bacteria in the mouth eat them and produce acids. Saliva mixed with acid can form dental plaque. Well, this plaque actually causes cavities. This plaque consists of bacteria and acids. If the teeth are not cleaned properly and routinely, the plaque will eat away the outside of the tooth called the enamel, resulting in a small hole in the tooth surface.
READ ALSO: 3 Ways to Prevent Cavities in Children
If the hole is not handled, the hole will slowly widen. Not only the outer layer, the bacteria will gnaw at the middle (dentine), until the third layer is called pulp. The pulp is a part of the tooth consisting of blood vessels and nerves. When the cavities have reached the pulp, you will feel tremendous pain. Teeth will also feel sensitive if used to eat, not infrequently abscess in the mouth can occur.
Should you avoid sweets?
It feels very impossible to avoid sugar in everyday life. Fruit contains natural sweeteners, so you are also not impossible not to eat fruit? In addition to containing many benefits, fruit can also be a mainstay menu for the diet. But don't forget to clean your teeth regularly. Foods such as sweets, mouth-frying foods, and dry cereal can narrow in the gaps of your teeth. If not cleaned, of course the leftovers can also cause cavities. Even though there are foods that can be 'rinsed' directly by our saliva, your teeth are still not completely clean.
You also have to be careful with certain foods and drinks, such as carbonated drinks. Sodas contain phosphate and citric acid which can erode tooth enamel. Eating foods that are high in acid can also cause tooth decay. High acid is not only soda, but also citrus fruit.
READ ALSO: 5 Ways to Care for Cavities
How to minimize cavities?
Cases of cavities in Indonesia are fairly high. But that does not mean cavities cannot be prevented, of course cavities can be overcome.
Does that mean you can't eat sweet foods? Hmmm, not really. Instead of limiting sugar intake, you better stimulate saliva to give minerals to your teeth. How to? You can try chewing gum.
Wow, but it's still candy? Yes, you can choose sugarless gum, combined with vegetables and fruits for your diet to stimulate saliva production.
For tooth minerals to be fulfilled, you can try foods such as cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products. These foods contain high calcium and phosphate to strengthen teeth. Of course yogurt is the right choice for cheating compared to other sweet foods. For drinks, you can switch to green or black tea to reduce bacteria in the mouth. But remember, the tea is not mixed with sugar.
In addition, in toothpaste products, fluoride is a mineral that not only prevents cavities and restores the teeth to the initial stage. If you think toothpaste is not enough to help prevent cavities. You can go to the dentist to get fluoride treatment.
If you have children, try to encourage your child to limit their intake of sugar. Healthy snacks are good for the health of your child's teeth, as we know children like to eat packaged and sweet foods. Familiarizing yourself with healthy snacks can prevent oral and dental diseases in the future.
