(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
SUGAR is sweet. Literally and figuratively.
Sugar is a carbohydrate. As such, it is a convenient source of energy. For the brain and the body.
It soothes anxiety. And it lowers stress. Which is why many “comfort foods” are sweet. And those who crave sweets have a “sweet tooth.”
“You’re not crazy if you think you have a sweet tooth,” says Dr. Wesam Shafee, a dentist and a Clinical Associate Professor of Restorative Dentistry at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Dental Medicine. “We have some scientific evidence that it’s true,” he tells thehealthy.com.
It’s true, sweet tooth is real. There is a gene called the FGF21 which produces a hormone. The hormone makes people sensitive to insulin fluctuations and thus crave for more sugar than others without the gene, according to a 2018 study published in the scientific journal Cell Reports.
And just because sugar-free products are may seem healthier, they are not. Many such sugar-free foods and drinks, in fact, are highly acidic, according to a Melbourne University study.
There is a lot of sugar hidden in many delicious foods too. That’s because sugar is a carbohydrate; thus, sugar is found in any food heavy with carbs although these foods don’t taste “sweet.” The carbs break down into sugar and can increase the risk of acid erosion on the teeth and tooth decay.
Still, many foods other than sugar wreak havoc on oral health. These are sweet juices, soda, and milk. They cover and stay on the teeth surface.
We all know, of course, that’s too much of a good thing like sugar is detrimental to health – and oral health. Too much consumption of sugar may lead to diabetes, heart disease – and tooth decay.
Fruits may not be all that safe either when it comes to sugar consumption. Sticky sweet foods like gummy bears, for example, cling to the teeth surface, stay there and do damage.
So, why not ration the consumption of sweet foods over a longer period of time. No, this doesn’t help. Too much of sugary foods are not good for oral health. Full stop.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
