A day in the life of your Phoenix Endodontic Group brings many different types of cases into the office. One common visitor who comes in for Dr. Allen’s expertise is the candy connoisseur. You may know what too many sweets can do to your waistline, but do you know what effect it may have on your teeth?
Sugar is a highly toxic substance to your tooth enamel and is present in many types of food and drinks. Soda, fruit juices, cookies and candy are all prime culprits that cause tooth decay, especially if allowed to linger in your mouth. Ingestion of sugar promotes the plaque that eats away at your teeth. A particularly bad type of sweet is sticky candy. Soft sticky candies often get caught between the teeth and if you aren’t a good flosser, can cause cavities in that area, says Dr. Allen.
Another dental problem could be caused by eating hard candy. Extremely hard candies that are “chewed” can also cause damage (cracks) to the tooth, explains Dr. Allen. This type of damage allows bacteria to invade the tooth and infect the inner pulp and root system. Eventually a problem of this nature may require your endodontist to perform a root canal. If you are going to consume hard candies, avoid biting or chewing them, especially with your more vulnerable front teeth.
As well-intentioned as patients are in their desires to follow a healthy diet and practice good dental habits, no one is perfect in either arena. If you are going to enjoy a sugary snack, then always attempt to brush afterward. If that is not possible, then rinsing your mouth out with water can help, but minimally, states Dr. Allen. Be as diligent as possible in flossing after sticky treats.
Sugar is acceptable in moderation, especially if you practice good dental habits when you eat sweets. However, it is far more common that it will cause problems with your teeth. If you are a lover of these kinds of treats, talk to Dr. Allen, your Phoenix endodontist, for advice on how to prevent dental damage.