While candy is tagged the culprit, the term sweets can mean any food or drink that includes sugar. Starchy carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta, and potatoes, as well as the usual cake, cookies, and candy, are all sources of sugar. Drinks often include sugar, such as soda, sweetened coffee or tea, and alcoholic drinks. These sugars can erode the teeth and cause severe tooth decay and other issues.
If tooth decay is left untreated, a dentist may advise the patient to an oral surgeon for treatment options. A severely damaged tooth may need to be extracted because it can adversely affect the immediate and surrounding areas in the mouth. If tooth pain becomes severe, your dentist may recommend surgery to correct the issue. An experienced South Jersey oral surgeon can advise on the next best steps to correct any issues.
Why are Sweets Bad for My Teeth?
Healthy teeth rely on maintaining the integrity of the protective outer layer of the teeth, as well as healthy gums. The mouth is a host to a great variety of bacteria that can have both positive and negative impacts on oral health. While some bacteria are considered to be beneficial, such as helping with digestion, others contribute to tooth decay.
Eating sweets encourages the growth of bad bacteria that ferment the sugars and produce acid, which forms a sticky surface on the teeth and gums called plaque. The acid can eventually erode the enamel and reach the soft dentin part of the tooth where it causes cavities. The growth of bad bacteria can also lead to infections, causing gum damage. To correct gum disease or damage, an oral surgeon may need to perform procedures.
Plaque can harden into tartar, which can cause damage to the gums and produce swelling, inflammation, bleeding, and infections. Damage to the teeth and gums can cause tooth sensitivity and result in certain symptoms, such as tingling, aching, sharp stabbing pain, and even referred pain in the sinuses, eyes, or along the side of the face.
How can I Combat Damage from Sweets?
There are ways to combat damage caused by bad bacteria. One way is to alter the diet to eat fewer sweets and starches and more fruits and vegetables. These foods, as well as dairy, have minerals, such as calcium and phosphates, which help replace what was lost from the enamel as a result of the acids produced by bad bacteria. Another dietary suggestion is adding green and black tea to the diet. These have been shown to suppress growth of harmful bacteria.
Other forms of remineralization include the choice of toothpaste. Many contain fluoride which helps replenish tooth enamel minerals that have been lost. Fluoride has also been shown to help prevent tooth decay and reverse early-stage tooth decay. Follow brushing with a fluoride-based mouth wash instead of alcohol-based for added protection.
How can an Oral Surgeon Help Me with Tooth Decay and Gum Damage?
Tooth decay can lead to additional health issues, such as an abscess that can affect the surrounding areas. If a patient has severe tooth decay, it may be necessary to undergo surgical procedures, such as extraction and a dental implant. Extraction is the removal process of the tooth, and a dental implant is placed into the jawbone to close the open area and provide a natural look.
Indulging in sweets can eventually lead to gum disease, receding gums, and other dental issues that require surgery. It is important to always be proactive about dental health because it affects the entire body. If a person develops tooth decay or another dental issue, a dentist may advise them to seek the help of a knowledgeable oral surgeon.
South Jersey Oral Surgeons at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Help Clients with Various Dental Issues
Patients trying to address serious dental issues can count on the South Jersey oral surgeons at Lanzi Burke Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. We provide reliable oral care and practice universal precautions against transmission of infections. Call 856-582-4222 or complete our online form to schedule a dental appointment or to find out more about our services. With offices in Washington Township, Haddonfield, or Woolwich Township, New Jersey, we serve patients throughout South Jersey.