Sugar is a substance that we all know and love. On one hand it tastes unlike anything else and the taste is incredibly addictive and comforting, on the other hand it is not good for our health in large quantities. This article will talk more about sugar and the effect that it may have on our teeth.

What is sugar?
Sugar is a carbohydrate that is comprised of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Sugar is naturally occurring in most plants, however the main issue is sugar that has been refined and added to foods that we eat on a daily basis, this includes cakes, sweets and even savoury meals.

Moderation
It should be made clear that sugar is something that is very difficult to avoid and this article does not advocate that you should give sugar up completely, but there is a lot of evidence available that states that people are consuming too much sugar and this can cause health issues. Sugar like anything should be enjoyed in moderation.

Your teeth
It is well known that sugary food and drinks are a common cause of tooth decay because they promote an environment in the mouth that causes bacteria and plaque to form in the mouth. These can cause cavities in the teeth and can lead to a number of dental issues.

It is also good to be aware of foods and drinks that have are thought to have health benefits, a good example of this is juice, which has a high sugar content and is also quite acidic. It can also damage the teeth and cause cavities due to the sugar content, this should be enjoyed in moderation.

Changing your habits
Over the past few decades people have become increasingly conscious of what they eat and this is naturally for the best. With sugar the best approach is to know exactly what it is that you are eating and the best way to do this is to read the packaging for the foods you are buying. Initially this may be hard to get used to, but once you have an idea of how much sugar is in particular products it will be much easier to manage your sugar intake.

About the dentist
Corner House Dental is a Norwich dentist specialising in offering five star dentistry alongside first class customer service.

Corner House Dental Practice
31 Unthank Road
Norwich
NR2 2PB