The WHO differentiates between intrinsic sugars, which are found naturally in fruits and vegetables and for which no scientific evidence has been reported that their consumption causes adverse health effects, and free sugars, which would include both sugars that we add to food and those naturally present in certain foods and beverages that contain them in high amounts.

Several studies show that a high consumption of the latter is associated with an increased risk of dental caries and other pathologies such as obesity or diabetes.

Sugar intakes above 10% of total calorie intake have been shown to produce higher rates of dental caries than sugar intakes below 10% of total calorie intake.

But do you know how sugar affects your teeth and how you can avoid its effects? You'll find all the information below.

How does sugar affect teeth?

When sugary foods or drinks are consumed, some of the sugar is deposited on the teeth. This serves as food for the bacteria that are naturally found in the oral cavity, encouraging their development and the formation of dental biofilm.

Over time, dental biofilm can cause damage to the enamel, leading to what is known as caries. The more sugar the oral bacteria get, and the poorer the oral hygiene, the greater the harmful effectsnot only on the teeth, but also on the gums.

Effects of sugar on teeth

The action of sugar on the teeth of each person will depend on multiple genetic and environmental factors. Some people have a greater predisposition to suffer from caries, which is accentuated when the amount of sugar in their daily intake is high.

On the other hand, the effects of sugar on teeth are not immediate. It takes a certain amount of time for bacteria to multiply and deposit on teeth and gums, forming dental biofilm.

These are the main ways in which sugar affects teeth:

Dental biofilm formation

Sugar can be easily degraded by bacteria present in dental biofilm, favouring their development and thus their ability to affect the health of teeth and gums.

Over time, if dental biofilm is not properly removed by brushing and daily oral hygiene, the minerals present in the saliva will be deposited, forming plaque, a solid structure that can only be removed by dental hygiene at the dental clinic.

Increased acidity

When the sugar is consumed, the bacteria present in the biofilm release acids as the main waste products of their metabolic activity. On contact with the tooth, these acids erode and weaken the tooth enamel, favouring the development of dental caries.

The greater the exposure of the teeth to these acids, the more demineralisation and weakening of the enamel will occur.

Caries development

As the acids produced by the bacteria in the dental biofilm destroy the enamel and internal tissues of the tooth, a cavity forms in the affected tooth, known as caries.

While initially mild damage, if left untreated it can progress to damage to the deeper layers of the teeth, causing severe pain, infection and even tooth loss.

Gingivitis

The action of bacteria not only occurs on the teeth, but also affects the gums.

Inflammation of the gums or gingivitis is characterised by red, sore and swollen gums that can easily bleed during brushing or flossing. By removing the causative agent, in this case dental biofilm, it is possible to reverse the disease.

Tooth breakage and loss

The combination of all the negative effects of excessive sugar consumption, together with insufficient oral hygiene, can lead to tooth fracture and even tooth loss.

In fact, when the tooth enamel is badly affected, cracks occur that end up breaking the enamel. As the gingival infection progresses, it also weakens the root of the tooth, leading to tooth loss if not treated in time.

Recommendations to limit the effect of sugar on teeth

To avoid the negative effects of sugar on teeth, it is not necessary to eliminate this food from the diet completely. One of the most advisable measures would be to reduce the consumption of free sugars to an adequate amount, and to put the following recommendations into practice:

• Follow a healthy and balanced diet.
• Brush teeth after every meal.
• Complement oral hygiene with the use of dental floss, interdental brushes and mouthwashes.
• Avoid snacking, especially sugary foods.
• Do not abuse soft drinks, juices and other sugar-containing beverages.
• Visit the dentist regularly.