Re: Bacteria question.

From: Harvey Newstrom (mail@HarveyNewstrom.com)
Date: Wed Dec 27 2000 - 19:11:59 MST


>If sugar is a preservative, and stops bacteria from eating food, why does it
>cause decay in teeth, which is due to promotion of bacteria?

Sugar is a preservative when used in high quantities because it
absorbs moisture and dries out bacteria. They shrivel up due to lack
of moisture in highly sugar water in the same way that salt water
dries things out. However, when the sugar content is not so high
that it is dried out, like in the mouth where it is wet, the sugar
does not act as a preservative. In this case, it just acts as food.
The acid used by bacteria to dissolve food also damages teeth. If
you packed your whole mouth full of dry sugar, it would kill
bacteria. A small amount of sugar residue does not.

This is an excellent question for the age of your child. I think at
that age I was merely asking why I couldn't have more candy. Keep up
the good parenting!

-- 
Harvey Newstrom <HarveyNewstrom.com>



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