As it turns out, it’s not the sugar that rots your tooth but a group of bacteria already living inside your mouth. Before we blame it all on them, let’s make one thing clear: bacteria aren’t bad or good. We’ve been living with them for millions of years and the partnerships we’ve formed have allowed us to do some pretty incredible stuff, including digesting cheese, grain, and meat. Without them, 97 percent of life on earth would die, with us closely behind. That being said, our mouths are like gardens. If we neglect them, they will grow weeds and other unseemly things. Cavities are a result of this. When parasitic bacteria bacteria, such as streptococcus mutans, get out of control, trouble begins. Eating sugar or simple starch feeds this strain of bacteria, and when it has food, it multiplies, creating an acidic byproduct that eats away our enamel. Once our enamel is gone, these bacteria will eventually creep into our dentin.
Cavities Form Under the Right Circumstances
Just like weeds in a garden, cavities must have a few sets of circumstances in order to form. These bacteria need food and also timing. If you want to stop cavities from forming, cutting out sugar will probably not do it. It takes a serious commitment to achieve a completely sugar-free diet. Although cutting down on sugar will certainly help with more serious conditions like heart disease and can reduce your risk of cavities, it won’t stop them completely. What’s more helpful is understand that bacteria like to work on a schedule. As soon as they encounter sugar, it will take them between thirty-minutes to an hour to break down this down, which is why it’s important to brush and floss immediately after a meal — or to save desert until last. If you’ve found yourself without a toothbrush, washing your mouth out with water can also be helpful.
Cavities and Gum Disease Are Partners
Streptococcus mutans don’t only damage teeth, they damage gums, as well. The same acidic byproduct that causes cavities, can also cause low grade inflammation in the gum tissue that can lead to periodontal disease (which, incidentally, is also linked to heart disease). Because periodontal disease can increase your chances of heart disease, stroke, and cancer, it should be taken seriously. Visiting a dentist every six months, the standard recommendation by the American dental association, can help to keep both cavities and gum disease at bay. If you are showing symptoms, your dentist can help to treat your mouth as needed. If it’s been awhile since your last check-up in Blue Bell, PA, call us at (610) 272-0828 to make an appointment with Dr. Ken Siegel at Dental Excellence of Blue Bell.
