“Are sweets bad for oral health?”
I eat sweets so much! But recently my teeth started to hurt whenever I eat something sweet, mainly on my left side. Should I cut down on eating sugary things?
9 Answers
Depends on the sweet. Eating dark chocolate covered nuts has some health benefits. But just eating high sugar, sticky snacks is slowly dissolving the enamel of your teeth. Yes, you should cut down on eating much of this.
First, visit your dentist. You may have some cavities. Cavities do not heal themselves. Cavities just get bigger. Sugar is IMPLICATED in everything. And the research is backing it up. I have patients who do not like sweet anyway. They don't drink carbonated beverages. They are in their 60's. Their teeth and gums are in excellent condition. Cutting down on sugary foods is a good thing.
Sweets are ok - in moderation! As long as you're brushing twice a day for at least 2 minutes, flossing at night, and getting your regular check-ups and cleaning. Pain to sweets generally means you have a cavity and you should get to a dentist quick to avoid it being a potential root canal.
You shouldn't just cut down, you should eliminate all sugar from your diet.
The short answer is yes, sugar feeds the bacteria that cause tooth decay as well as a lot of other health issues. You should see your dentist every 6 months, at the very least, and they can catch the decay before it hurts. So, go see your dentist and cut down on the sweets. Do not wait as it will not get any better and the longer you wait the more expensive it will be to treat.
Jim Kline
Jim Kline
Hi,
Sweets can cause cavities thus sensitivity if the cavity gets big enough. You should go to your local dentist and have him/her check it out and X-ray your teeth!
Thanks for the question.
Dr. J
Sweets can cause cavities thus sensitivity if the cavity gets big enough. You should go to your local dentist and have him/her check it out and X-ray your teeth!
Thanks for the question.
Dr. J
Hi,
Yes, sweet foods have sugar and that is not good for your body or teeth Whalen eaten in excess. Since you are already exhibiting symptoms, pain on your left side, that usually means some kind of a problem has already started. You should visit a dentist very soon before it turns into a bigger problem.
Best regards,
Dr Farzad
Yes, sweet foods have sugar and that is not good for your body or teeth Whalen eaten in excess. Since you are already exhibiting symptoms, pain on your left side, that usually means some kind of a problem has already started. You should visit a dentist very soon before it turns into a bigger problem.
Best regards,
Dr Farzad
The natural bacteria in your mouth use sugar (of any kind, from sweets to carbs) to create cavities. If you never have any kind of sugar, you’ll never get a cavity. Sensitivity to sweets is sometimes a sign that a cavity has already started. Best to cut down on the sweets and always follow sweets with a big cup of water.
Having discomfort when you eat sweets is an indication that the solid tooth structure is undergoing changes making the tooth softer. As a dentist, we call that change a cavity. I would guess you have one or more cavities where your hard outside tooth structure has changed to a softer outside. My recommendation would be for you to schedule an appointment with a local dentist, ask them to take a set of x-rays on you and determine where you have cavities and to what extent the damage has occurred.
Dr. Christopher Larson
Dr. Christopher Larson
