68 Different Names for Sugar that Cause Tooth Decay

by | Aug 29, 2016

Almost everyone in Hendricks County has heard that sugar can be bad for your teeth. A diet that’s high in sugar can lead to tooth decay. Therefore, it’s important to lower your sugar consumption, so you can reduce your risk of cavities. But when you’re looking at food labels to determine how much sugar a food or beverage contains, do you know the different names for sugar that you should be looking for?

Food manufacturers can be a little sneaky when it comes to added sugars in foods and beverages. You may think sugar should just be called “sugar” when it’s added to a food or beverage. But in actuality, there are 68 different names for sugar. And when a food manufacturer prepares a food or beverage, the company may use one or more of these various types of sugar within one product. As a conscientious Hendricks County consumer, how can you know how much sugar is added to a product?

The first step is to read the ingredients list on the product food label. The ingredients are listed by the amount that’s contained within the product. Therefore, the higher the ingredient is on the list, the more of that ingredient is contained in the product.

The second step to determine how much sugar is contained in a product is to look at the ingredient list and identify all the different names for sugar. To help you figure out the different names for sugar, here is an infographic prepared by Danville Family Dentistry.

Once you’ve determined how much sugar is contained in a particular food item, you can make an informed decision on whether or not to eat or drink that item. Just know that when you consume a food or drink containing sugar, the bacteria in your mouth feed on this sugar and create acids that can attack the enamel protecting your teeth. These acids can eventually cause cavities in your teeth that can produce pain and may result in tooth loss.
To prevent cavities from occurring, you should:

  1. Reduce the amount of sugary foods you eat or drink — this is why it’s good to know the different names for sugar.
  2. Brush your teeth twice a day, and floss once a day.
  3. Visit Danville Family Dentistry, located in Hendricks County, twice a year for professional teeth cleanings and checkups. To schedule an appointment, call 317-745-4400.