Many patients know eating sugar is bad for teeth, and any general dentist will say that eating high fructose corn syrup is even worse! High fructose corn syrup causes more intense blood fructose fluctuations than white sugar does, and this causes more minerals to be pulled from teeth and bones. Losing these minerals weakens the tooth and leaves it open for decay.

All about high fructose corn syrup

What is it and where is it found?

High fructose corn syrup is made from corn that has been refined into syrup. It contains the same amount of calories as regular sugar and is much cheaper to produce than sugar is. It can be found as the main ingredient in many processed foods, snacks, and beverages.

High fructose corn syrup adds unnatural amounts of fructose to a diet, which the human body cannot handle properly.

High fructose corn syrup has become almost a universal sweetener since it is cheaper, sweeter, and easier to blend into products because it is a liquid. Look at the ingredients in fruit punch or soda pop, it is likely that high fructose corn syrup will be the second ingredient right after water.

What does it do to the body?

Many general dentists state that high fructose corn syrup is a key factor in today’s obesity epidemic. High fructose corn syrup is also linked to many other serious health issues, including diabetes, insulin resistance, heart disease, and tooth decay.

What does it do to the teeth?

High fructose corn syrup will cause much more drastic fluctuations in the body’s sugar levels and can pull minerals from teeth which can make them weaker.

Sugar harms teeth because plaque and bacteria release harmful acid that damages enamel when they feed on it. High fructose corn syrup causes more intense blood sugar spikes in the body which then continually pulls minerals from the teeth and bones in order to restore balance in the body. Since the teeth are losing more minerals, they are more likely to develop tooth decay.

Tooth decay

How to prevent tooth decay

To prevent tooth decay, it is important to establish a good oral hygiene routine, decrease the amount of sugar and high fructose corn syrup from the diet, limit processed foods, and visit a general dentist twice a year for cleanings and examinations.

How to treat tooth decay

If a patient has a cavity, a general dentist will need to get them a filling in order to prevent further decay. As bacteria spread to the tooth root, it becomes harder to salvage the teeth. The patient may need a root canal or a tooth extraction. If the decayed tooth must be extracted, the patient will need to consider temporary or permanent tooth replacement options so that they can eat, talk, and smile with confidence.

Conclusion

High fructose corn syrup is bad for the body and for the teeth. Avoid tooth decay, cavities, root canals, and tooth extraction by lowering high fructose corn syrup intake. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call our Ijamsville dental office today.

Request an appointment here: https://urbanafamily.com or call Urbana Family Dental Care at (301) 605-1157 for an appointment in our Ijamsville office.

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