Here’s what happens to your teeth the moment sugar passes your lips
Three ways to protect your teeth from sugar
- Within seconds of your first bite or sip of something sugary, oral bacteria begin to produce acids, which rapidly increase mouth acidity and can dissolve tooth enamel.
- Saliva naturally helps by washing away excess sugars and neutralising these acids, while other beneficial bacteria compete with cavity-causing ones.
- However, frequent intake of sugary foods and drinks can overwhelm these natural defences, allowing harmful bacteria to thrive.
- Cavity-causing bacteria also form sticky biofilms, known as plaque, on teeth, which protect them from saliva and lead to continuous acid production and tooth decay.
- To protect teeth, it is advised to reduce sugar intake, consume sweets during meals and maintain regular brushing and daily flossing.