Wednesday 4 May 2016

Ammar Idlibi - What Sugar Can Do to your Teeth

Ammar Idlibi, a pediatric dentist, developed a sweet beverage for children that does not contain any sugar or artificial sweeteners. He is concerned about the health of children’s teeth, and wanted to find a way to replace sugary drinks. His creation, Healthy Sweets, is sweetened with Xylitol, which is a natural sugar alcohol that fights cavities. Xylitol is often used in sugar free gums, toothpastes, and mouth washes. It is important to try to avoid consuming large amounts of sugary beverages because sugar can seriously harm your teeth.

Your mouth is filled with different types of bacteria. A lot of that bacteria is good, and helps your body break down food. However, there are some bad types of bacteria in your mouth. These types of bacteria are often rinsed away when you brush your teeth. However, these bacteria can grow if you consume large amounts of sugary foods and beverages. Sugar feeds bacteria and can cause bacteria colonies to grow. These colonies attach themselves to the enamel of your teeth and begin to create a white film called plaque.

Plaque creates a shelter for bacteria and helps it grow even more. This process can wear down your enamel and cause a cavity. The best way to prevent this is to avoid eating or drinking large amounts of sugar on a regular basis. If you do eat sugar, make sure to brush your teeth afterwards in order to prevent bacteria growth. Ammar Idlibi created a sweet beverage that contains Xylitol in order to help prevent cavities in children.