# Sugar damaege to teeth

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-damaege-to-teeth/732146>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 21, 2015, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-damaege-to-teeth/732146 "2015-09-21T20:26:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Longshanks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-damaege-to-teeth/732146/1 "2015-09-21T20:26:08Z")

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When you drink a sugary drink does it cause damage to your teeth because it touches them while its in your mouth? That must sound like a simple question, but I was wondering if it could cause your teeth damage somehow after it has been swallowed?

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**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-damaege-to-teeth/732146/2 "2015-09-21T20:56:09Z")

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I would think that it is because the bacteria on your teeth feed on the sugar.

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**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-damaege-to-teeth/732146/3 "2015-09-21T21:53:30Z")

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One study suggests sugar is the sole cause of tooth decay:

> **[Sugar Is the Only Cause of Tooth Decay, Study Says](https://time.com/3380563/sugar-tooth-decay/)**
>
> A new report says we need to stop eating so much sugar to avoid tooth decay

WebMD clarifies that it’s “carbs” rather than just sugar itself but close enough.

> **[Myths and Facts About Cavities](https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/cavities-myths)**
>
> The fear of cavities has been with us since we were kids. Still, we sometimes get confused about the facts and myths that surround these "holey" terrors.

What happens is that bacteria in your mouth feed off of the carbs, and produce acid as a waste product, and having high levels of acid in your mouth is what eats away at your teeth causing them to rot. WebMD suggests that eating and drinking substances high in acid also damage teeth, and most sodas are high in acid as well. Hence why a base like baking soda is said to help protect teeth.

A detailed explanation about how tooth decay occurs can be read on Wikipedia:

> **[Tooth decay](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_decay)**
>
> Tooth decay, also known as cavities or caries, is the breakdown of teeth due to acids produced by bacteria. The cavities may be a number of different colors from yellow to black. Symptoms may include pain and difficulty with eating. Complications may include inflammation of the tissue around the tooth, tooth loss and infection or abscess formation.
> The cause of cavities is acid from bacteria dissolving the hard tissues of the teeth (enamel, dentin and cementum). The acid is produced by the bacte...