Most of us probably had a parent tell us "Don't eat too many candies because you'll get cavities!". When we are kids we rarely question what is said to us by an adult, but now that we are older do you ever wonder if sweets really do cause cavities?
Given that Halloween is just around the corner I think it's adequate that we talk about sugar and their relationship to cavities.
Does Sugar cause Cavities?
In essence no, sugar itself does not cause cavities. However sugar is involved in the process that causes cavities. This cavity-causing process begins with the digestion of sugars by certain bacteria in our mouth, which break down the sugar and produce acids that damage our tooth's enamel. In other words, when we eat or drink anything that contains sugars, bacteria in our mouth also "eat it", break it down and produce an acid out of it. When this acid is left on our tooth for too long, it begins to weaken the tooth's surface by removing its minerals and eventually causing a hole in the tooth.
Luckily our saliva contains minerals such as calcium and phosphate. These minerals help repair tooth surfaces that have been weaken by these acids through a process known as remineralization.
It is worth mentioning that brushing with fluoridate toothpaste can also help repair these areas that have been damaged by the acids. In fact, tooth enamel that is remineralized by fluoride is more resistant to future acids attacks than those remineralized by calcium and phosphate.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. We hope this helps you understand the relationship between sugar and cavities a little better. If you have any questions please leave them in the comment section below. If you enjoyed and found it educational please share it with your friends and family on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. It only takes 1 minute of your time and it helps us out a lot. Thanks! :)
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