This Festive Season, Eat your Favorite Sweet without worrying about your teeth!

We Indians love to say, “Kuch meetha ho jaye!”

India is recognized for its rich culture and tradition, as well as various festivals that come throughout the year. With so many cultures blending, there is bound to be a celebration around the corner now and then. Especially during October to January, when there are various festivals like Navratri, Diwali, Christmas, and many more. And no Indian festival is ever complete without sweets.

Sweets are an integral part of our festivities. From handmade sweets to store-bought sweets to chocolates, we Indians love sweet, sugary treats, especially during our favorite festival season.

But these sweets, on the other hand, cause tooth decay and dental issues. The teeth are sensitive to sugar and there are numerous side effects of sugar on teeth. However, this should not prevent you from having fun and satisfying your sweet tooth over the holidays.

The Best Dentist in Gurgaon at Smile Xperts Clinic has put together a detailed guide on how to care for your teeth throughout the festive season. So you may eat your favorite sweet without worrying about the bad effects of sugar on teeth and your oral health.

Table of Contents:

Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye: 

1. Why Sweets are the Culprit for Cavities?

2. Possible Dental Problems you can face this festive season

3. When to see the dentist?

Takeaway

Why Sweets are the Culprit for Cavities? 

The sugar content of the sweets commonly consumed during festivals is quite high. It is a well-known truth that ingesting high sugar compounds is generally very bad for overall dental health as teeth are sensitive to sugar. During the holiday season, we tend to consume more sugar than on any other day.

So, why is sugar bad for teeth?

There are various microorganisms in the oral cavity, some of which are beneficial and others are harmful. These harmful bacteria are the primary causes of tooth decay. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are the most prevalent bacteria in the mouth that cause tooth decay.

When we eat sugar, the harmful bacteria feast on it and begin producing acid. This acid causes demineralization from the tooth enamel. Although demineralization is generally controlled by saliva supplying consistent minerals like calcium and phosphate to prevent further deterioration. When there is a constant cycle of acid production as a result of high sugar and acid attack, mineral loss increases 10 folds. This eventually leads to the formation of a tooth cavity. 

Sugar also has a negative impact on the overall pH of the mouth. When we ingest too many sweets, our mouth’s pH becomes unbalanced owing to the development of dental plaque when these bacteria feed on sugar. If the plaque is not removed on time, the acid level rises, and cavities are formed.   The pH decreases from the normal pH of 7 to 5.5.

During the festive season, not maintaining proper hygiene and consuming a lot of sweet foods can lead to teeth hurt after eating sugar and sugar affects teeth negatively.

Possible Dental Problems you can face this Festive season 

We can’t always be careful of the sweets we consume during festivals and that can make teeth sensitive to sugar. Some of the most common tooth-related issues that most individuals encounter throughout the festive season are:

• Dental decay: it is caused by an excess of dietary sugar, which produces acid in the mouth. The acid destroys the enamel over time and leads to the creation of dental cavities. Early enamel deterioration does not cause any symptoms, but as the infection progresses, a person will suffer severe discomfort and the creation of an abscess. In extreme situations, septic infections may occur.
• Increased teeth sensitivity: Too much sugar on teeth not only causes dental caries but also causes demineralization of the enamel. The enamel, which is the outermost protective layer, can erode over time. This exposes the sensitive portion of the teeth, causing tooth sensitivity. If adequate care is not followed, it becomes extremely difficult to eat anything hot or cold without experiencing pain.
• Receding gums is a disease that is typically caused by an infection in the mouth as a result of severe plaque build-up along the lines of the teeth where the gums meet. Bacteria thrive in excess plaque, and when more sugary things are ingested during festivals, the bacteria multiply. This causes blisters and inflammation in the oral cavity, which produces painful sores on the tongue and gums.
• Gingivitis: The teeth are sensitive to sugar in general, and too much sugar causes gum inflammation. The initial stage of the disease is known as gingivitis, and the most frequent symptoms are swollen and red gums, as well as bleeding.
• In severe cases of this bacterial infection, the disease is known as Periodontitis, and the infection can damage the jawbones if adequate treatment is not followed.

When to see the Dentist? 

If dental issues are not treated quickly, they can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. And, especially during the holidays, no one wants to ruin their celebrations by suffering from oral pain. It is typically a good idea to get regular oral examinations. This keeps a check on oral health and helps in the early diagnosis of problems. Dental checkups following the festive season are even more essential because we tend to consume a lot of sugary sweet substances over the festivals and there are numerous side effects of sugar on teeth.

According to the dentists at Smile Xpertz, the following are some measures you can take before the festive season so you can enjoy your festivities and eat sweets without worrying too much.

• Brush twice a day and keep good oral hygiene.
• When you consume sweet things, you should always clean your mouth and brush afterward if possible to avoid excessive bacterial or plaque accumulation.
• If you have any minor pain or sugar teeth sensitivity in your teeth, you should not ignore it. You should get it checked by a dentist as soon as possible so that it does not intensify.
• Flossing is also very important since it aids in the removal of excess plaque that forms in the tooth lining.
• Following your celebrations, it is typically a good idea to visit your dentist for teeth cleaning to eliminate any extra plaque buildup and also for a routine oral checkup

If you already have a dental issue, it is a good idea to see your doctor before the festivals so they can give you a better understanding of how to take care of your teeth while also enjoying the festivities.

Takeaway

At Smile Xpertz, the Best Dental Clinic in Gurgaon, dental facilities are outfitted with cutting-edge dental technology to deliver high-quality, pain-free dental procedures.

Smile Xpertz thinks that adequate dental care is essential for everyone. Furthermore, being mindful about sweet intake and taking necessary precautions and aftercare can guarantee that you have fun and enjoy your favorite sweets while keeping your dental health in check.

So, this Navratri, indulge in your favorite sweets and let our Smile Xpertz look after your oral health.