{"id":108,"date":"2023-07-13T10:35:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T10:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentcaredentaloffice.com\/blog\/?p=108"},"modified":"2023-07-17T22:36:31","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T22:36:31","slug":"are-sugar-substitutes-okay-for-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentcaredentaloffice.com\/blog\/2023\/07\/13\/are-sugar-substitutes-okay-for-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Sugar Substitutes Okay for Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Like most people, you probably know sugar isn\u2019t good for teeth. Everyone from dentists and physicians to your parents will have told you as much. That said, you might wonder if the same applies to so-called sugar substitutes. Do artificial sweeteners decay pearly whites like sugar does? Fortunately, your Sunnyside dentist can answer this question. Read on, then, to learn sugar\u2019s role in tooth decay<\/a>, how its substitutes affect teeth, and why to go easy on the sweeteners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s Review: Sugar & Tooth Decay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Among other things, sugar is a known cause of tooth decay. It greatly harms your enamel when eaten in excess. As such, the material is a major obstacle to good oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Granted, sugar doesn\u2019t decay teeth directly. It simply acts as food for the harmful oral bacteria in your mouth. Those microbes then feed on the simple carb and leave behind tooth-eroding acids. Your pearly whites could then get worn away, leading to cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are Sugar Substitutes Bad for Teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Surprisingly enough, sugar substitutes aren\u2019t that bad for teeth. They don\u2019t lead to tooth decay like the original product would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You see, artificial sweeteners aren\u2019t fermentable. That means oral bacteria can\u2019t feed on them as a food source. Therefore, they don\u2019t attract the microbes\u2019 various tooth-decaying acids. On the contrary, they can protect against decay by causing such germs to die out. These sugar alternatives balance your salivary pH and reduce the presence of harmful bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019d like to sweeten a drink or snack without sugar, consider options like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n