Is Starch Worse for Your Teeth Than Sugar? - Garlock Orthodontics (2024)

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Is Starch Worse for Your Teeth Than Sugar? - Garlock Orthodontics? ›

The Damage Starch Can Do

The point here is this list of starches (potato starch, corn starch, tapioca starch, wheat flour, rice, and grains) is worse than sugar because these carbs rank high in the GI, which can cause more damage to your health.

Studies of caries in animals, human plaque pH response, and enamel/dentin demineralization leave no doubt that processed food starches in modern human diets possess a significant cariogenic potential.

Both starches and simple sugars may pose a risk for dental caries. Sugars and starches begin breaking down to simple sugars in the mouth. Bacteria in the mouth ferment sugars and produce an acid that can dissolve tooth enamel.

Not cleaning your teeth well, snacking a lot and sipping sugary drinks are the main causes of cavities. Cavities are areas in the hard surface of your teeth that are damaged. These areas of tooth decay become tiny openings or holes that can lead to a serious toothache, infection and tooth loss.

Bread and other foods high in starches, like pasta and rice, are generally not suspected of causing damage to your teeth. Unfortunately, they do! This is because these simple carbohydrates are broken down into sugars by our saliva, during the chewing process.

It may surprise you to learn that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has discovered that starchy foods are worse for our children's teeth than sugar foods. This is due directly to the amount of time the teeth are exposed to each of these substances.

Despite the downsides of simple carbohydrates, complex carbs aren't always the healthier choice, especially when it comes to starchy foods. "Most of the time, starches are better than sugars," says Beaver. "However, potato chips and white bread are considered starches, and these foods aren't necessarily healthy."

Diets high in refined starches are linked to a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease and weight gain. In addition, they can cause blood sugar to spike rapidly and then fall sharply. This is especially important for people with diabetes and prediabetes, since their bodies can't efficiently remove sugar from the blood.

Does starch cause plaque? ›

Even though starchy foods can cause plaque buildup, just eating this type of food is not enough to cause the plaque to build up. It is a combination of excessive amounts of starchy foods and poor dental hygiene. If you like to eat starchy foods, there are things you can do to prevent the plaque from building up.

Pasta & Bread

Starches and simple carbs may be even worse than sugar for your dental health because you don't think of them as “sugary.” Unfortunately, your mouth does treat them that way. Pasta can be safe to eat if you're careful not to get food particles stuck between your teeth.

Sucrose is the ring leader- it is the most prominent baddy and helps to form a protective plaque layer (known as extracellular polysaccharide), this binds the plaque together; attaches it to the tooth and prevents it from being washed easily away.

Bacteria that cause tooth decay break down foods and drinks that contain sugar to form acid. Each time a person consumes foods or drinks containing sugar, acid is in the mouth for 20 to 40 minutes.

Saliva contains special enzymes that help digest the starches in your food. An enzyme called amylase breaks down starches (complex carbohydrates) into sugars, which your body can more easily absorb. Saliva also contains an enzyme called lingual lipase, which breaks down fats.

Grinding can break teeth and lead to sensitivity. Food and drinks that have a lot of acid can remove small amounts of tooth enamel over time. Examples include carbonated drinks, citrus fruits and wine.

Harmful Acidic Foods and Beverages

Foods and drinks with high acidic levels are actually worse for your teeth than sugar. This is why diet sodas can actually be worse for your teeth than the regular versions. The most common acids in the average diet are carbonic, citric, and phosphoric.

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body — even stronger than your bones. It protects the innermost layers of your tooth (dentin and pulp) from damage. Even though enamel is strong, bacteria, plaque and acids in your mouth can damage it.

Abscessed Tooth

The pain can be severe and may be accompanied by swelling and fever. Rinse your mouth with saltwater, take pain relievers, and seek immediate dental care to drain the abscess.