This month’s oral hygiene advice question: do natural sugars (like the stuff in fruit) lead to tooth decay?
First, the bad news
Sugar feeds oral bacteria in your mouth, which secretes an acid that breaks down tooth enamel. Left unchecked, that can lead to things like cavities and rotting in your teeth.
Unfortunately, pretty much all sugar works like this. This includes glucose (grain sugar), sucrose (table sugar), lactose (milk sugar) and, worst of all, fructose (fruit sugar).
So can fruit sugar cause tooth decay? Yes.
Added sugar is still worse for your teeth than fruit sugars, though. Fruit sugar comes naturally and most fruits don’t contain enough to have a significant effect on your health.
Sugar added in food processing however, often comes in higher concentrations and more problematic formats.
Such as? Well, added sugars are also often modified to be ‘stickier’, for a more enjoyable eating experience. Foods such as caramel and gummies are made to be sticky. Delicious yes, but that stickiness adheres sugars to your teeth, ultimately causing more damage to your tooth enamel.
Dried fruits – delicious though they are – are particularly problematic, sticking to teeth for extended periods, a known cause of tooth decay. Things like maple syrup and golden syrup aren’t any better – plus, they’re both particularly sticky.
Note too: the acid in fruits can also be a contributing factor to tooth decay. Lemons and oranges are packed full of acid, which can erode enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to decay.
Also, a word to the wise: Food manufacturers may advertise that their product contain ‘natural sugars’ or ‘natural fruit sugar’, but don’t be fooled. Processed fructose is not all that different from glucose or sucrose, and will still harm your teeth if consumed in large amounts.
The good news
None of this means you should cut back on fruit. Rather than limiting your intake of fruit, try balancing the amount of fruit you consume between very sweet and sour, and fruits that are low in acidity.
Some fruits that are low in acidity and sugar are berries, apples and peaches. These fruits can provide you with all the minerals and vitamins you need for the day, but decrease your tooth decay by limiting the amount of sugar and acid.
A fresh, unprocessed apple – while containing naturally occurring fructose – is also high in water, fibre and ‘crunchiness’. That’s a good combination for scrubbing teeth and washing away sugar and plaque-causing bacteria from the mouth.
Our oral hygiene advice
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables in moderation. And to get the best results, drink water when you eat, brush twice daily, and take an active part in your own oral health prevention and maintenance routine.
Overall, dietary sugar is inescapable. Most foods, even ones sourced naturally, contain sugar in some form. It’s all about balancing your intake and having good dental care so the odd natural indulgence doesn’t have a lasting effect on your teeth.
For more oral hygiene advice, contact the friendly team at Simply Dental.