What’s Worse: A Candy Bar or a Soda?

Types of Sugar in Our Foods

Del Mar, CA Dentist Dr. Chan Shares Strategies for Good Dental Health

While large quantities of sugar aren’t good for us, some sugar is both necessary and enjoyable to eat. Fruits, vegetables, and milk all contain natural sugars, which are good for us, while candy, soda, and some juices contain processed sugar, which we need to be sure to limit to stay healthy. Unfortunately, processed sugar is very addictive, so we can find it difficult to limit our intake of this type of sugar, but with good control, we can still be healthy while enjoying a sugary treat every now and again.

When we do indulge in these treats, it’s important that we take the health of our teeth into consideration before we eat too much. Certain sugary treats are worse for our teeth than others, but how much worse are they? In particular, candy bars and soda are two sweets often consumed by many Americans daily, so which of the two would be better to cut back on or entirely give up to lessen the damage if these treats are enjoyed regularly? While there is no clear answer since it’s all very dependent, there are pros and cons to each one, and so it’s important to weigh these factors to make the best decision for you and your life.

Even after years of consuming sugary foods, you can still work hard to help your teeth be healthy and improve their overall health with the help of a good dentist and some dedication.

Is Soda or Candy Bars Worse for Teeth?

Many people enjoy the sugary taste and rush that candy bars and soda give them, but between the two, which is worse for you? Well, admittedly, that question will change based on each individual. We all eat our sweets differently, and these differences can change the way they affect our teeth, so for this question, we will simply look at these treats as they are.

Candy bars are full of sugar. From the chocolate to the nougat to the caramel, sugar is infused in all parts of that candy. Candy bars also come in many varieties, which, of course, will affect your teeth differently depending on what is included in the bar. Things like caramel and nougat will often stick to our teeth for long periods of time, which can cause cavities over time of these aren’t cleaned off our teeth quickly. For the most part, the sticky ingredients and the sugar levels in candy bars are what will cause you issues with your teeth, so if you want to eat these candies regularly, be sure to brush your teeth soon after consuming them.

Sodas are also a treat very high in sugar. These drinks are sometimes consumed multiple times a day with multiple meals and also come in many varieties. With sodas, the sugary liquid will reach all parts of your mouth, meaning that your chances of cavities in all parts of your mouth will increase. Soda also has a variety of acids incorporated into their recipes as well, which work to break teeth down over time. When sodas are drunk slowly or in large quantities, this exposure to the acids and sugars is quite detrimental for our teeth and will cause decay over time.

Again, each of these sugary treats aren’t great for our teeth, and limiting our intake of them is important for our overall tooth health. Overall, soda has a more negative impact on our teeth, but that doesn’t make it worse than candy bars if someone drinks soda occasionally and eats candy bars constantly. As with most things, rationing your treats is the best way to both enjoy them but also have better tooth health. Talk with your dentist as well to see what else you can do to satisfy your sweet tooth and keep your teeth healthy.

West Coast Dentist Available for You

When you want to ensure that your tooth health is as good as it can be, talk with the dentist at the Del Mar, California office of Curtis L. Chan, D.D.S. today. Our team is ready to help you get your teeth clean and cavity-free, and we can work hard to help you know how you can best care for your teeth and mouth between visits. Call our San Diego, California office today at A Professional Dental Corporation Phone Number 858-481-9090 to see how we can help you today, or use our online contact form.