Carbohydrate Mono- Di,

poly-
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Syrup Department
Sugar and Tooth
Blood Glucose Test
Decay  Virtual ChemBook

Sugar and Tooth Decay

Sugar, saliva, and bacteria lead to a formidable combination
that
may lead to tooth decay. After eating sugar, particularly
sucrose,
and even within minutes of brushing your teeth, sticky
glycoproteins (combination of carbohydrate and protein
molecule)
adhere to the teeth to start the formation of plaque. At
the
same time millions of bacteria known as Streptococcus
mutans
also adhere to the glycoprotein. Although, many oral
bacteria
also adhere, only the S. mutans is able to cause cavities.

In the next stage, the bacteria use the fructose in a metabolism

process of glycolysis to get energy. The end product of glycolysis
under anaerobic conditions is lactic acid. The lactic acid creates
extra acidity to decrease the pH to the extent of dissolving
the
calcium phosphate in the tooth enamel leading to the start
of a
cavity.

Preventative measures include frequent brushing and flossing

to
prevent plaque build up. A diet rich in calcium and fluoride
in
the water lead to stronger tooth enamel. A diet of more complex
carbon hydrates that are low in sugar and no sucrose snacks
between
meals is also a good preventative measure.

Only the S. mutans bacteria has an enzyme called glucosyl

transferase on its surface that is able to cause the polymerization
of glucose on the sucrose with the release of the fructose.

The same enzyme continues to add many glucose molecules to

each other to form dextran which is very similar in structure
to
amylose in starch. The dextran along with the bacteria adheres
tightly to the tooth enamel and leads to the formation of plaque.
This is just the first phase of cavity formation.

The graphic on the left is showing only a portion of this

process
which shows the release of the fructose. The glucose
undergoes
further polymerization as stated above.

In the next stage, the bacteria use the fructose in a metabolism

process of glycolysis to get energy. The end product of glycolysis
under anaerobic conditions is lactic acid. The lactic acid creates
extra acidity to decrease the pH to the extent of dissolving
the
calcium phosphate in the tooth enamel leading to the start
of a
cavity.

Preventative measures include frequent brushing and flossing

to
prevent plaque build up. A diet rich in calcium and fluoride
in
the water lead to stronger tooth enamel. A diet of more complex
carbon hydrates that are low in sugar and no sucrose snacks
between
meals is also a good preventative measure.