Splenda Tooth Decay

The artificial sweetener Splenda contains sucralose, a sugar substitute, and it is popular because it is so much sweeter than saccharine and aspartame and is stable enough for use in cooking.

Another advantage is Splenda is believed not to promote tooth decay. (Splenda is also known as “E Number” in the European Union.) 

Even though Splenda tastes just like sugar, it is a sugar substitute. This is why it doesn’t cause cavities. If you scrap natural sugars for Splenda, tooth decay may not be as much of a problem for you.

When you ingest food and drink that boasts a high sugar content, sticky glycoproteins fasten onto your teeth. Then the bacteria in your mouth uses these glycoproteins for energy – this metabolic process results in lactic acid which erodes the enamel of your teeth. When your tooth enamel dissolves, a hole is formed, and this is when you have a cavity! But with Splenda, tooth decay does not occur because the artificial sweetener does not metabolize with bacteria like natural sugar does. 

When bacteria and sugar combine, plaque builds up. If a person brushes his or her teeth and flosses, this buildup of plaque can be prevented and the lactic acid may never have a chance to give you a bad toothache. But in addition to keeping your mouth nice and clean, you can make changes in your diet so as to avoid cavities. And if you consume artificial sweeteners like Splenda, tooth decay is less likely.

Splenda has been the subject of much controversy over the years and some speculate there are mild to serious side effects of the popular artificial sweeter. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given it two thumbs up, however, and at the very least Splenda does help to keep away those pesky cavities.