Are Sugar Substitutes Better for Your Teeth?

Many patients ask whether switching to sugar substitutes can help protect their teeth from cavities. A recent study published in JADA Foundational Science sheds light on this important question — and the results are encouraging.

Sugar vs. Sugar Substitutes: How They Affect Your Smile

Cavity-causing bacteria, like Streptococcus mutans, thrive on regular sugars such as glucose and sucrose. When these bacteria consume sugar, they produce acids that lower the pH in your mouth to harmful levels, leading to enamel erosion and tooth decay.

The study found that popular sugar substitutes — xylitol, sucralose, and allulose — behave very differently:

• Xylitol & Sucralose: Produced little to no acid, making them safe for teeth.
• Allulose: Caused only a slight, temporary drop in pH, but researchers noted it may still pose a risk for root decay in adults with receding gums.

Do Sugar Substitutes Prevent Cavities?

While these sweeteners don’t feed cavity-causing bacteria, they also don’t stop bacteria from producing acid when sugar is present. In other words, sugar substitutes are better than sugar but not a shield against cavities if you still consume sugary foods or drinks.

What This Means for Patients

• Replacing sugar with substitutes like xylitol or sucralose can reduce your risk of cavities.
• Maintaining good oral hygiene habits — brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits — remains the most effective way to protect your smile.
• If you have braces, avoiding sugar is especially important, since trapped sugar around brackets and wires can speed up enamel damage.

At our orthodontic office, we encourage patients to make smart dietary choices that support both their oral health and their orthodontic treatment.