Sweets for the Sweet by Richard Cheas Have you ever heard of the phrase, "I have a sweet tooth"? It usually refers to the craving someone has for something sweet like candy or desserts. What many people, especially kids, don't realize is that a sweet tooth may lead to a bad tooth. The interesting thing is that teeth don't get problems from sweets; the problems come as a result of bacteria. Bacteria are microscopic organisms. They live in colonies. They are on your teeth, gums, lips, and tongue. Millions live in your mouth. Bacteria in the mouth are normal. In fact, we need some of them. Even though some bacteria are harmless, others can be harmful. Harmful bacteria can cause bad breath and tooth decay. Harmful bacteria can cling to the enamel that covers your teeth. When these bacteria aren't removed by brushing or with mouthwash, the bacteria can multiply and form a colony1. This is how candy and sweets can hurt. According to Dr. Juan Moore, "The bacteria on the teeth plus the sugar from sweets combine and create acids that quickly destroy teeth, especially in children."2 The sugar fuels the bacteria. According to researcher Andrea Justin, "The bacteria use the sugar by changing it into a substance that sticks to the enamel, and when this substance combines with your saliva, it creates plaque."3 Soon, the sugar, plaque and saliva create holes in the enamel. These holes become cavities. Getting rid of all the plaque in your mouth is hard. In fact, many people who take care of their teeth may still get cavities.4 However, according to The American Dental Association you are less likely to get many cavities or any of the other problems plaque can create if you brush your teeth regularly. To lessen plaque you should brush your teeth after each meal. If you have a snack with a lot of sugar, you should definitely brush your teeth immediately afterwards. If you cannot brush, you can rinse your mouth out with water. The water will dissolve the sugar and loosen the plaque.5 Teeth are one of
