In this day and age, it hardly needs saying that sugar is bad for smiles. How the carb harms teeth is well-documented and discussed by everyone from parents to neighbors. Still, you may wonder what effect (if any) its alternatives have on your mouth. Do sugar substitutes affect oral health just as badly, or are they neutral or even positive? If that question appeals to you, you’re in luck; you can learn its answer in the helpful summary below.
Context: Sugar Causes Tooth Decay
Standard sugar is bad for your grin because it decays teeth. Consumed excessively, the substance greatly increases your risk of cavities.
It isn’t sugar itself that rots your teeth, just to be clear. This carb merely attracts harmful oral bacteria, which produce acids as they gather on your smile’s enamel. Your pearly whites are worn away by said microbes over time, resulting in cavities that ruin your oral health.
Given the points above, most dentists advise that you limit your sugar intake. Doing so makes tooth decay much less likely, ensuring your grin remains strong.
How Do Sugar Substitutes Affect Your Smile?
As bad as sugar is for your smile, its substitutes are much less so. These alternatives don’t often cause tooth decay like the “real deal” does.
The difference largely comes down to fermentability. Sugar substitutes aren’t a reliable food source for harmful bacteria, so they don’t (indirectly) result in tooth-decaying acid. Some actually have the opposite effect and cause “bad” oral germs to die, balancing your mouth’s pH levels as a result.
As for which of these sugar substitutes are smile-friendly, the most notable ones include:
- Sucralose
- Aspartame
- Stevia
- Saccharin
- Acesulfame K
Moderation is (Still) Key
While sugar substitutes don’t rot teeth, you should still only have them in moderation. They can have other harmful effects if you ingest too much.
The fact remains that many artificial sweeteners are linked to health problems. For example, research shows that some brands elevate one’s risk of strokes and heart disease. They can also result in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and dementia, as well as depression and seizures.
Sugar substitutes don’t affect oral health much, but they aren’t exactly nutritious. Make note of that as you pursue smile-friendly eating.
About the Practice
Sound Dentistry is based in New Bedford, MA. Led by Drs. El-Ghadi, Govostes, and Kitsos, our practice takes every step possible to help smiles thrive for a lifetime. We thus offer comprehensive dental care that spans preventive, cosmetic, and restorative options, all while using the latest state-of-the-art technology. Whatever trouble your grin may have, rest assured that our team can handle it! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (508)-321-7874.