When we think of harmful habits, we usually think of drugs and alcohol, but it actually starts with sugar. Sugar, sugary foods, drinks, alcohol, tobacco products, and drugs disrupt the pH balance of the mouth. This allows bacteria and pathogens to multiply, leading to faster tooth decay, erosion, and even more severe damage or loss of teeth. The normal pH value of the mouth is 7.2; below this, the environment is acidic, and above it, it's alkaline. This pH value is negatively influenced by the food, drinks, and harmful habits we consume. Saliva plays a key role in biological cleaning—not only in aiding digestion and helping food bind together, as we learned in biology class, but also in cleaning the teeth. If we disrupt this biological mechanism, it further promotes the growth of bacteria and other pathogens. To maintain a healthy pH level, it's advisable to avoid smoking and acidic foods and drinks. Too much acidic exposure can lead to the destruction of tooth enamel (acid erosion), which can only be repaired later by a dentist using restorative techniques (such as fillings or crowns).
Sugar is most dangerous in early childhood, as tooth decay in baby teeth progresses rapidly. When a child's baby tooth is broken down "to the root," meaning only a black stump remains visible, this is due to poor oral hygiene.
Why is this dangerous?
Because it affects the developing buds of the permanent teeth, discolored spots may appear on the emerging tooth, and it is more likely to decay. It also acts as a source of infection in the child’s mouth, disrupts the chewing process (making it difficult for the child to eat properly), and can lead to poor digestion. This, in turn, may result in stomach ulcers or other internal organ diseases.
Baby bottle syndrome: This refers to a condition where a child is given too many sugary and/or acidic drinks (such as fruit juice) at a young age, leading to easy decay of the child's front teeth, resulting in small black stumps instead of teeth. This can later affect the child's self-esteem, as they may grow up believing their smile is unattractive. Therefore, it is recommended to give young children water or milk to support the development of their teeth. (If a child is lactose intolerant, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician on how to supplement minerals and trace elements.)
Smoking, coffee, tea, alcohol, and drugs also lead to erosion and can cause discoloration, damage, and loss of teeth. The digestive issues resulting from tooth loss, as well as self-esteem problems due to the unattractive appearance of the smile, are equally present in adulthood.
E-cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products are often perceived as healthier alternatives to traditional cigarettes, but long-term studies have not proven this. It is true that they contain fewer additives, but they have the same amount of nicotine, which can cause yellowish discoloration of the teeth and lead to gum recession, as well as promote the development of periodontal disease. E-cigarettes also have an acidic effect on the oral pH, just like traditional cigarettes, because they contain propylene glycol and glycerin. These ingredients are just as harmful to teeth and the body as the harmful substances found in cigarettes. Energy drinks are similarly dangerous, as they are currently unregulated and accessible to children, tempting with their sweet taste and energizing effects.
Alcohol and drugs also have a very detrimental effect on teeth and the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Additionally, it is important to know that tobacco products (such as chewing tobacco, betel, snus, e-cigarettes, cigarettes), drugs, and alcohol significantly increase the risk of developing oral cancer, and users generally have a worse prognosis.
We would like to recommend that if you have any harmful habits, it is advisable to visit your dentist for a check-up annually, or even every six months, so that any changes to your teeth and oral mucosa can be treated as early as possible!
