SUGAR is a familiar part of the Filipino diet.
Sugar is found in soft drinks, pastries, candies, sweetened coffee, milk tea and countless snacks.
While occasional indulgence is not necessarily harmful, frequent consumption of sugar can create conditions that lead to tooth decay and other oral health problems.
The danger begins with the microorganisms that naturally live in the mouth. The human mouth contains numerous types of bacteria, some of which feed on sugars and other fermentable carbohydrates left on the teeth. When these bacteria break down sugar, they produce acids that attack the protective outer layer of teeth, known as enamel.
Repeated acid attacks can gradually remove minerals from enamel, weakening its structure. This process, called demineralization, is an early stage of dental caries, commonly known as tooth decay.
How Sugar Leads to Cavities
Teeth are constantly exposed to substances in food and beverages. Under normal conditions, saliva helps wash away food particles, neutralize acids and supply minerals that assist in repairing early damage to enamel.
However, frequent sugar consumption can upset this balance. After eating sugary foods, bacteria produce acids that lower the pH or acidity of dental plaque, the sticky film that forms on teeth. When the environment becomes sufficiently acidic, minerals begin to dissolve from enamel.
If this happens repeatedly, the tooth may lose more minerals than saliva can replace. Over time, the enamel can develop weak spots, followed by cavities or holes.
Once decay progresses beyond enamel and reaches the underlying dentin, a person may experience sensitivity, pain and difficulty eating. Untreated decay can eventually reach the dental pulp, where nerves and blood vessels are located, potentially causing infection.
Frequency Matters
Eating a piece of cake or enjoying a sweet drink occasionally does not automatically result in tooth decay. The greater concern is how often teeth are exposed to sugar.
A person who repeatedly sips a sugary beverage throughout the day may expose the teeth to multiple acid attacks. Similarly, frequent snacking on candies, biscuits and other sweetened foods can prolong the time teeth spend in an acidic environment.
Sticky sweets, such as caramel and chewy candies, may be particularly troublesome because they can remain on tooth surfaces and in narrow spaces between teeth.
Sugary drinks also deserve attention. Soft drinks, energy drinks, sweetened juices and flavored coffees can deliver substantial amounts of sugar. Because beverages are often consumed quickly—or sipped over long periods—they can contribute to repeated exposure.
Children and adolescents may be especially vulnerable because developing oral hygiene habits, frequent snacking and the widespread availability of sweetened foods can increase their exposure to sugar.
Baby teeth are also susceptible to decay. Severe decay in primary teeth can cause pain, interfere with eating and sleeping, and affect a child’s quality of life.
Dental professionals commonly advise parents to limit sugary snacks and drinks, particularly between meals. Water and unsweetened beverages are preferable choices for routine hydration.
Protecting Teeth From Sugar
Reducing sugar intake is one important step toward preventing cavities, but oral hygiene remains essential.
Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste helps remove plaque and strengthens enamel. Cleaning between teeth removes food particles and plaque from areas a toothbrush may miss.
Drinking water after meals can help clear sugar and food debris. Eating sugary foods with meals, rather than consuming them repeatedly throughout the day, may also reduce the frequency of acid attacks.
Regular dental examinations can identify early decay before it becomes painful or requires extensive treatment.
Sugar itself is not the sole cause of cavities. Tooth structure, saliva, oral bacteria, fluoride exposure, hygiene and eating habits all influence the risk. Nevertheless, frequent sugar consumption provides the fuel for the bacterial processes that damage teeth.
For people seeking healthier smiles, cutting back on added sugar is not merely a dietary choice. It is also an investment in long-term oral health.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
