Why do sugary foods make cavities? & bull; hello healthy

Sweet foods cause cavities. Too often don't we hear statements like that? But is that really true? To the point that, when we were little, we were forbidden to eat too much candy or chocolate. Do only sugary foods cause dental problems?

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Is it true that sweet foods cause cavities?

Actually, the main cause of cavities is not sugar. Cavities are caused by bacteria that live in the mouth. These bacteria eat away the remaining carbohydrates on our teeth. Leftovers include sugary foods you eat, such as sugar found in cookies, candy, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.

Why are sweet foods one of the causes of cavities?

Sugar includes carbohydrates. When these carbohydrates are digested, the bacteria in the mouth eat them and produce acids. Saliva mixed with acid can form dental plaque. Well, plaque is what actually causes cavities. This plaque consists of bacteria and acids. If the teeth are not cleaned properly and regularly, plaque will eat away at the outside of the teeth, which is called the enamel, resulting in small holes in the surface of the teeth.

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If the hole is left untreated, it will slowly expand. Not only the outer layer, but over time the bacteria will eat away at the middle (dentin), up to the third layer which is called the pulp. The pulp is part of the tooth which consists of blood vessels and nerves. When the cavities have reached the pulp, you will feel excruciating pain. Teeth will feel sensitive when used to eat, not infrequently abscesses in the mouth can occur.

Is it best to avoid sugary foods?

It feels very unlikely to avoid sugar in everyday life. Fruit contains natural sweeteners, so it is impossible for you not not to eat fruit? Apart from containing many benefits, fruit can also be used as a mainstay menu for the diet. But don't forget to clean your teeth regularly. Foods such as candy, mouth fresh foods, and dry cereals can get stuck in the crevices of your teeth. If not cleaned, of course the food scraps can also cause cavities. Even though there are foods that our saliva can “rinse out” directly, your teeth are still not completely clean.

You also have to be careful with certain foods and drinks, such as carbonated drinks. Soda contains phosphate and citric acid, which can erode tooth enamel. Eating foods that are high in acid can also cause tooth decay. High acid is not only soda, but also citrus fruits.

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How do you minimize cavities?

The case of cavities in Indonesia is quite high. But that doesn't mean cavities can't be prevented, of course cavities can be overcome.

Does that mean you shouldn't eat sweets? Hmm, not really. Instead of limiting sugar intake, you better stimulate saliva to provide minerals to your teeth. How to? You can try chewing gum.

Wow, but it's still candy, right? Yes, you can choose sugarless gum, combined with vegetables and fruits for your diet to stimulate saliva production.

In order for dental minerals to be fulfilled, you can try foods such as cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products. These foods contain high calcium and phosphate to strengthen teeth. Of course, yogurt is the right choice for pregnant compared to other sweet foods. For drinks, you can switch to green or black tea to reduce bacteria in the mouth. But remember, the tea is not mixed with sugar.

In addition, in toothpaste products, fluoride is a mineral that not only prevents cavities and returns teeth to an early stage. If you think toothpaste is not helpful enough to prevent cavities. You can go to the dentist for fluoride treatment.

If you have children, try to get them to limit their sugar intake. Healthy snacks are good for the health of your child's teeth, as we all know children love to eat packaged and sweet foods. Getting used to healthy snacks can prevent dental and oral diseases in the future.