We all know consuming too much sugar in your diet is harmful. However, too much sugar is also bad for your oral health. Sugars and starches left in the mouth attract harmful bacteria. These bacteria feed on sugars and create digestive acids that irritate the gum tissue and wear down the tooth enamel. Sugar combined with saliva and bacteria creates plaque, a sticky film covering teeth and gums. Plaque can harden to form tartar, also known as calculus. Plaque and tartar can easily collect in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth and irritate gum tissue. Learn more about the relationship between sugar and oral health and how we can address problems like dental infections in our Boise, ID, office.

How Does Sugar Impact Oral Health?

Excess sugar can cause these oral health problems:

• Tooth Decay: When harmful bacteria affect teeth, they begin to wear down the tooth enamel or outer layer of the tooth. Early signs of tooth decay can include toothaches and tooth sensitivity.
• Cavities: After a certain point, tooth decay can create cavities. Cavities are holes in the tooth enamel. Sometimes, cavities can expose the dental pulp, which is made of cells, nerves, and blood vessels that keep teeth alive. The pulp will require removal if left exposed.
• Gum Disease: Periodontitis, or gum disease, begins as gum inflammation or gingivitis. Patients with gingivitis can experience irritated and bleeding gum tissue. Over time, gum inflammation turns into gum disease. Patients with periodontitis can experience gum recession, gum pain, and even loose teeth.

Address Your Oral Health

We offer multiple treatments to benefit patients with infected teeth or gums:

• Dental Fillings: A filling seals a dental cavity. We will clean the inside of the cavity, disinfect the area, and place a white composite in the cavity. Then, we cure and harden the filling.
• Root Canal Treatment: Patients with a dental infection that reaches the inside of the tooth will require root canal treatment. During a root canal, we remove the infected pulp, clean the inside of the tooth, seal the tooth, and cover the tooth with a crown.
• Periodontal Therapy: We offer a variety of treatments for patients with gum disease. Each patient has different needs. Some patients only require an antibacterial rinse, while others need regular deep cleanings. These treatments remove bacteria from the gum tissue and tooth roots.
• Tooth Extractions: If we cannot save a tooth with root canal treatment, we may have to remove a permanent tooth. Depending on how many teeth are missing, we can restore the lost tooth with a dental implant or implant restoration.

Prevent dental damage and decay from sugar. Remember to visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and exams. It is much easier for us to catch and treat signs of decay earlier than later. Call LIFESmiles for care today at (208) 254-6365. You may also request a dental appointment with Dr. Dennis Garpetti or Dr. Brock Hyder online.