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While sugar, also known as sucrose, is delicious, it can wreak havoc on your oral health, especially if you fail to floss and brush at least twice a day. According to dentists in San Diego and dentists in La Jolla, bacteria in the mouth metabolizes sugar whenever we consume beverages or foods that contain it. When this happens, it weakens the hard enamel and dentin that ordinarily protects teeth against cavities and decay. If you were to do a Google search using the keywords “dentists in San Diego,” “dentists in La Jolla,” or “dentists near me,” along with a list of skilled dentists, you would likely also see a summation of all the things that contribute to cavities, with sugar quite possibly topping the list.

 

dentists near me

 

Dentists in La Jolla and Dentists in San Diego Discuss the Obvious and Not-so-Obvious Sources of Cavity-causing Sugar

 

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, around 91% of adults aged 20 to 64 have at least one cavity, and an estimated 27% have untreated tooth decay. In both cases, sugar is to blame. But it’s not just plain, white table sugar. Sometimes, sugar from carbohydrates is the culprit. For those unaware, the body converts starchy carbohydrates into simple sugars. And these sugars are just as capable of causing cavities, tooth decay, and other oral health problems when they mix with bacteria in the oral cavity, according to dentists in La Jolla and San Diego. And if you do a Google search using the keywords “dentists near me,” you’ll find that most dentists in the Greater San Diego County area express the same sentiment on the homepage of their website. Examples of foods rich in starchy carbohydrates include rice, potatoes, and pasta. Sometimes, these carbohydrates are in foods where most would never expect to find them, such as cupcakes.

 

Dentists in La Jolla and Dentists in San Diego Reveal What Most Probably Don’t Know About Cupcakes

 

Most people recognize that cupcakes are not the healthiest when it comes to food choices, but what they may not know is they can sometimes cause more cavities than other sugary snacks. And this is because they contain starchy carbohydrates and refined sugar. Because the body converts carbs into simple sugars, more sugar gets mixed with bacteria in the oral cavity after someone eats a cupcake. In turn, this increases their chances of developing cavities immensely. For reference, one cupcake measuring 2-3/4″ in diameter contains roughly 25.75 grams of sugar and 32.54 grams of carbohydrates. So like other starchy carbohydrates, eating cupcakes and not brushing afterward can open the door to cavities. And those cavities can trigger the following symptoms:

 

In summary, this article is in no way an attempt to dissuade anyone from consuming cupcakes or other sugary snacks but rather a reminder to brush and floss after indulging in them. After all, doing so can lower the risk of developing cavities and other oral health problems. Of course, if you haven’t had a dental exam in a while, you can also consider this article a clarion call to schedule an appointment with a San Diego County dentist today. If you live in La Jolla, San Diego, or the surrounding areas, finding one is as easy as doing a keyword search on Google with “dentist near me” or “general dentist near me” in the search field.