Metabolization of Sucrose and the Impact on Oral Health

Abstract

The relationship between the adopted diet, oral health and the individual/population presents an agreement according to the literature, it can contribute to a better general state of health of the individual, perpetuating its benefits throughout his life. Excessive intake of ultra-processed foods, a dietary staple of the Brazilian population today, causes damage as a whole and nutrient deficiencies that can directly reflect on the oral cavity and its functions. Within this context, sucrose, the main ingredient in the diet adopted by the majority of the population, the object of this work is to understand the metabolization of sugars, especially sucrose in the mouth and its effects on local homeostasis from the action of bacteria. This is a narrative bibliographical review without temporal cut and search carried out in November 2022, based on scientific materials on: food, sucrose metabolization in the oral cavity and microbiological diversity in the human organism. The analyzed studies showed that the presence of carbohydrates in foods (in natura, processed and ultra-processed) is a factor that directly or indirectly stimulates bacterial growth and the appearance of caries, periodontal diseases and others, therefore, a balanced diet is an essential factor for reduce the colonization of the mouth by pathogenic microorganisms. It is important to adopt adequate dental hygiene habits, performed frequently, always after eating or at least three times a day, and it is also worth analyzing and associating a possible reduction or alternative and healthier ways of consuming food. that contain sugar in their constitution.