What Is The Connection Between Our Diet And Caries Development?

13 July 2023

Sugar and caries

Caries is the most common non-communicable disease in the modern world. According to research, about 95 percent of the world's population complains of a severe or mild form of caries. Our readers may be surprised to learn that people in ancient times suffered from caries relatively less. Everything changed at the beginning of the 18th century with the industrial revolution and the introduction of refined sugar from beets.

What is caries?

Caries is a pathological process during which the soft tissue of the tooth is demineralized. There are many microorganisms in the human mouth that multiply rapidly. The cause of caries is precisely the microorganisms on the hard tissues of the tooth. Bacteria that live in the mouth are streptococci, lactobacilli and actinomycetes. As a rule, they are "inherited" from the mother at birth, passed to the child during breastfeeding and cannot be removed. A few hours after brushing the teeth, the number of bacteria can increase to a million. Streptococci process the carbohydrates and instead release acids that damage the teeth. This process is influenced by sucrose, which is contained in refined sugar and, therefore, in any product containing sugar. Caries begins when favorable conditions for the growth of bacteria are created in the mouth. 

Key factors to know about caries:

• Nutrition - nutrition plays a big role in the formation of caries. Numerous clinical and experimental findings have established that taking a large amount of sweets and keeping them in the mouth increases the risk of developing caries.
• Transmitted diseases - tooth enamel is characterized by high mineralization. Transmitted diseases that cause qualitative and quantitative changes in the composition of saliva indirectly affect the demineralization process and destroy the enamel tissue and cause caries.
• The importance of microorganisms - without the contact of microorganisms and carbohydrates with tooth enamel, the development of caries is impossible. The abundance of bacteria is one of the direct causes of caries.
• Exposure to external factors - it is known that after radiation therapy, especially in the head and neck area, after 6-8 months, signs of tooth damage appear in the form of white spots, and then carious cavities are formed.
• Dental plaque - this is a kind of mass of bacteria that tightly adheres to the surface of the tooth and under certain conditions creates a favorable environment for demineralization of the enamel in a certain area. Acidity is increased in this area and enamel tissue is slowly eroded. Dental plaque is a clear, soft, sticky mass composed almost entirely of bacteria and their byproducts.
• The protective value of saliva - through saliva, the body controls the microorganisms in the oral cavity. The normal flora of the oral cavity has a protective function against many pathological microorganisms from the outside. Therefore, any change in the healthy composition of saliva (on the background of certain diseases developed in the body) can become a prerequisite for the development of caries.

The main challenge related to caries

The main problem with dental caries is the lack of emphasis on general health care, compounded by the population's easy access to sugary drinks and other products containing refined sugars. All of the above results in a "caries boom", where 95 percent of the population has a mild or severe form of the disease.

Caries prevention:

• The first rule is oral hygiene. To remove dental plaque, you should brush your teeth twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Don't forget to clean your tongue and use mouthwash;
• Use dental floss to remove food debris from between your teeth;
• The third rule is proper nutrition. Reduce the amount of carbohydrates in your diet and especially sugar, carbonated drinks and sweets. Be sure to clean your mouth after consuming a product containing oil;
• Remember that coffee removes calcium from the body, weakens tooth enamel and changes its color;
• One of the ways to prevent caries is to use products containing fluoride. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel with necessary minerals and makes it more stable;
• The last and most important rule for caries prevention is to schedule regular visits to the dentist. Have a professional teeth cleaning every 6 months, follow your dentist's advice and enjoy a charming, healthy smile.