05 May Sugar vs. Teeth: A Battle for Your Dental Health
In the fight against cavities, sugar is one of our worst enemies. The trouble with sugar is that it feeds plaque—the more sugar you eat, the more your dental health suffers. However, avoiding sugar is pretty difficult. Many foods that are supposed to be healthy for your teeth (like calcium-rich yogurt) often have added sugar. So what can you do to win the battle of sugar vs. teeth? Our dentists share a few tips below.
Sugar, Plaque, and Tooth Decay
Although sugar always gets the blame for causing cavities, the real problem is that it contributes to plaque buildup. Because the bacteria in plaque feed on sugar, eating sugary foods and drinking sugary drinks allows them to multiply.
Not only that, but when the bad bacteria digest sugar, they release acids afterward. This reaction causes “acid attacks” whenever you have something sugary. The acids from plaque attack your teeth, weakening the protective enamel and gradually wearing it away. This is how cavities form.
Sugar vs. Teeth: Five Ways to Fight Plaque
1. Pay more attention to what you’re eating and drinking.
Try to avoid or cut back on sweet, acidic drinks like fruit juice, soda, and coffee. If you’re sipping on iced lattes all morning, you’re exposing your teeth to sugar and acid attacks over and over again. Highly processed foods like lunch meat, white bread, and potato chips are also bad for your teeth. Try to eat more whole foods and avoid foods with added sugar.
2. Chug that water.
Drinking water is one of the best ways to fight plaque! Water rinses away food particles, sugar residue, and bad bacteria. It neutralizes acid attacks, and it can even help you rebuild weakened tooth enamel. Try to only drink water between meals, instead of other beverages, and drink a little water (or at least rinse your mouth) after you drink something sweet.
3. Wait 15-30 minutes before brushing your teeth.
After eating or drinking something sugary, it’s best to wait a while before you pull out your toothbrush. Because acid attacks temporarily weaken your tooth enamel, brushing your teeth while they’re vulnerable could make the situation worse. Drink some water (or chew some sugar-free gum) after consuming sugar to neutralize that acidic environment.
4. Use sugar substitutes when you can.
Unfortunately, natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup are not any better for your teeth than sugar. If you have a sweet tooth, sugar substitutes like xylitol and stevia are your best options for satisfying your cravings. They’re much sweeter than sugar, so not only will your treats still taste good, but since plaque cannot digest them, they’re much better for your teeth.
5. Get a dental cleaning.
Your dental hygienist can remove plaque and tartar from any hard-to-reach areas you’ve missed. They can also offer you non-invasive treatments like laser therapy or ozone therapy to help prevent plaque buildup in the future.
Holistic Dental Care in Prescott, Arizona
Looking for a dentist with a holistic perspective? At Prescott Dentistry, prevention is our main priority. We can help you find natural ways to prevent plaque buildup, so you can win the battle of sugar vs. teeth. We also provide comprehensive dental care that’s focused on preserving your natural teeth and doing what’s best for your health. Find out for yourself what makes holistic dentistry different—contact us to schedule an appointment today.
Photo by Caroline Attwood on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 4/22/25.