How Starchy Foods Cause Tooth Decay

There are ways you can minimize the damage of starchy foods by drinking water and brushing your teeth. This article explores the process of starch-related tooth decay and how you can protect your teeth.

Starchy Foods Contribute to Tooth Decay

Starchy foods convert to sugar in the mouth, which affects the oral microbiome by feeding the plaque-forming bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria produce acids that erode tooth enamel and lead to cavities. This is especially true when the starchy foods (like bread, pasta, and chips) are sticky and remain on the teeth.

Starchy foods are damaging because of these qualities:

• Stickiness: Unlike fruits and vegetables that are washed away more quickly by saliva, sticky, gummy foods adhere to teeth for extended periods. This prolongs the acid attack on your enamel.
• Refined Carbohydrates: These are processed to remove fiber and nutrients, leaving a simple starch that converts to sugar very quickly in the mouth, fueling harmful bacteria.
• Residue that Lingers: The tiny, stubborn pieces left behind by many of these foods, like potato chip fragments or bread paste, can be difficult to remove with brushing alone, especially from hard-to-reach areas.

The Process of Starch-Related Tooth Decay

This is the step-by-step process by which starch creates tooth decay:

1. Starch Breaks Down Into Sugar: When you eat starchy foods, bacteria in your mouth begin to break them down into fermentable sugars. Enzymes in your saliva, like salivary amylase, begin to break down starches from foods like bread, pasta, and crackers while you chew.
2. Bacteria Feed on the Sugar: Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria and food debris, constantly forms on your teeth. The bacteria within plaque, particularly Streptococcus mutans, use the sugars from starchy foods as fuel.
3. Acid is Produced: As the bacteria metabolize the sugars, they produce acid as a waste product. This creates an acidic environment in your mouth that attacks your teeth.
4. Enamel is Eroded: The acids attack the tooth’s hard outer layer–the enamel– causing it to lose minerals and weaken over time. This process is called demineralization.
5. Cavities Form: Over time, repeated acid attacks can lead to the formation of cavities, small holes in the teeth. Once a cavity forms, it will not heal on its own and must be professionally treated.

Key Factors

These are the key factors in starch-induced cavities:

• Food Form–Sticky and Clingy: Sticky starches, like white bread and potato chips, are particularly problematic because they cling to teeth and are difficult for saliva to wash away.
• Saliva’s Role in Acid Production: Saliva helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles, but the sticky nature of starches can reduce saliva flow and make it harder for the mouth to clean itself.
• Frequency of Consumption: Repeated dips below a critical pH level (generally around 5.5) are more damaging than a single acid attack, making frequent consumption of starchy foods detrimental to oral health.

Which Starchy Foods Cause the Most Tooth Decay?

The starchy foods that cause the most tooth decay are refined carbohydrates that easily break down into sticky, paste-like substances. These foods tend to linger in the crevices of your teeth longer, providing a sustained food source for decay-causing bacteria.

• White bread, buns, and bagels: These quickly turn gummy and pasty when chewed, allowing starches to settle between and on teeth.
• Pastries, cookies, and cake: These are often made with refined white flour and contain high amounts of added sugar, creating a perfect storm for bacteria to thrive.
• Potato chips and pretzels: The starchy bits of these crunchy snacks often get lodged in the grooves of your teeth and between them. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that crackers may be worse for teeth than some candies because they stay on teeth longer.
• Crackers: Refined carbohydrates in crackers break down into sugar in your mouth and can become lodged in dental crevices.
• Refined pasta and rice: While often consumed as part of a meal, refined pasta and rice metabolize into simple sugars that can be trapped on and between teeth, feeding bacteria.
• Breakfast cereals: Many cereals, especially sweetened varieties, are made from refined flour and leave a sticky residue on teeth.
• Popcorn: Kernels and hulls can get stuck between teeth, while the starchy puffed parts can feed bacteria. Unpopped kernels can also chip teeth.

How to Protect Teeth from Starchy Foods

In short, you can protect your teeth from the damage starchy foods create. Drink water while eating, brush your teeth and floss shortly after to remove food debris, and use water to rinse your mouth if you cannot brush immediately. Additionally, choose whole-grain versions of these foods, eat starchy foods in moderation, and maintain a healthy, nutritious diet with calcium-rich foods.

Oral Hygiene

• Brush and Floss Regularly: Be sure to use best practices in oral care.  Brush your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss to remove food particles and plaque.
• Rinse with Water: After eating starchy foods, rinse your mouth with water to help wash away food debris.

Dietary Choices

• Choose Whole Grains: Choose whole-grain bread and crackers over refined versions.
• Eat in Moderation: Limit your consumption of starchy foods like chips, pasta, and crackers.
• Drink Water: Drink water while eating starchy foods to help rinse them from your teeth.
• Balance Your Diet: Consume a diet rich in calcium, vitamins, and minerals from sources like dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and fish to strengthen enamel.
• Eat Crunchy Fruits and Veggies: Incorporate crunchy fruits and vegetables, like apples and carrots, which can help promote saliva production and remove food stuck to your teeth.

Professional Care

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups: Visit your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings every six months to prevent cavities and gum disease.

Contact Hamby Family Dental Center to Schedule a Dental Checkup

Our professional dental team at Hamby Family Dental Center can guide you in keeping your teeth healthy and cavities minimized, as well as recommend dietary alterations if needed. Contact us today by calling us at  919-552-2431 or completing the form below.