How are dental caries affected by sugars?

What are Dental caries? 

Dental caries is defined as a disease of calcified tissues of teeth and is characterized by demineralisation of the inorganic and destruction of the organic substance of tooth. In layman's language it is known as tooth decay or cavities formed in a tooth when tooth surface is attacked by the acid formed by decay causing bacteria in presence of sticky food. If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss. 

Young children are at risk for “early childhood caries whereas in old people due to recession of gums, root is easily decayed by bacteria. 

Everyone who has teeth is at risk of getting cavities, but the following factors can increase risk:

• Certain food and drinks such as sweet, sticky, soda etc
• bedtime infant feeding
• frequent snacking
• dry mouth 
• not getting enough fluoride

It is suggested by dentist to use fluoridated toothpaste specially where fluoride content is less in water. It could be bought from online chemist pharmacy or online pharmacy delivery. 

Sugar and Caries

Free sugars are the primary dietary factor in the development of dental caries. Dental caries occurs when bacteria in the mouth metabolize sugars to produce acid that demineralises the hard tissues of the teeth (enamel and dentine).

Sugary or sticky food that gets stick to tooth surface aren't washed off easily by salivary secretion. And when they remain on tooth surface for long time, bacteria start metabolizing the food and acid is produce. The acid produced disrupts and organic and inorganic component of tooth which result in formation of cavities. 

Acid produced is lactic acid that causes demineralisation of tooth tissue. 

Sugars-sweetened beverages, including fruit-based and milk-based sweetened drinks and fruit juices, are a source of free sugars, as well as confectionery, cakes, biscuits, sweetened cereals, sweet desserts, sucrose, honey, syrups and preserves.

There is a dose-response relationship between sugars consumption and dental caries.There is loss of tooth substance that is caused by acid production resulting from bacterial metabolism of sugars. Early symptoms that may lead to advanced stages of dental caries are pain, infections and abscesses, or even sepsis.

Chewing whole fresh fruit instead of fruit juices is more beneficial as it stimulates salivary secretions which decreases the chance of dental caries. 

Sugar particles are big in size due to which sometimes when we eat sweet foods in presence of caries, we feel pain as they come in contact with dentinal tubules. Tooth is also known as sweet tooth but such condition is reversible. 

Treatment:

Treatment of dental caries depends on how bad the tooth condition is. It can be assessed by the radiograph. We can clearly see if its deep affecting the pulp or it's a pit and fissure caries. 

• In cases  when root is affected by caries specially in old age, best option is extraction. Still if patient wants to conserve the tooth retrograde filling can be done, if possible. 

• If the cavity is visible and there is pain, root canal treatment is advised followed by capping. 

• Sometimes only a black dot is visible but beneath that dot lies a large pit. So radiographs are must before making a treatment plan. 

•If only enamel and dentin and affected, then fillings can be done after applying line and base which acts as a stimulator for reparative dentin. 

•In case of children with pit and fissure, fluoride varnish should be applied. 

But as said prevention is better than cure try avoiding sticky and sugary products. And after consumption of food brush your teeth. Don't let the food retain on tooth structure for long time as it invites the bacteria. Always use fluoridated toothpaste, mouthwashes and dental floss for proper cleaning. You can buy them from online drug store or online pharmacy stores in India.