The Impact of Tanghulu Cavities on Dental Health and How to Prevent Them

Hello, this is Gangnam New N Dental Clinic.

You can easily see tanghulu on the street, right?

The combination of a crisp sugar coating and sweet-and-sour fruit is really appealing!

Did you know that eating tanghulu frequently can also cause problems for your dental health?

Today, I’ll explain the effects of tanghulu on cavities and how to protect your teeth.

Tanghulu is a snack that originated in China,

and it is a dessert made by coating fruit in sugar syrup to create a crispy texture.

As it has become more popular in Korea, tanghulu made with various fruits has appeared.

Because of its high sugar content and sticky texture, it can have a negative effect on dental health.

Why tanghulu causes cavities

The main ingredient in tanghulu is sugar.

Teeth have many tiny grooves,

and the sugar in tanghulu can get caught in those grooves and stick there,

making it difficult to remove. When that happens, cavities can develop.

If it is not removed properly, the likelihood of cavities increases. Let me explain the main causes.

1. High sugar content

Tanghulu is coated in sugar, so its sugar content is quite high.

The sugar left in the mouth becomes food for cavity-causing bacteria, which then produce acid,

and this acid erodes the tooth enamel and causes cavities.

2. Sticky texture

Tanghulu’s sticky sugar syrup easily clings to teeth.

In particular, if the sugar left between teeth is not removed well, it can become a cause of cavities.

3. Hard sugar coating

The hard coating on tanghulu, when chewed,

can place strong pressure on the teeth and may also cause cracks or damage.

You should be especially careful when biting it with your front teeth.

Stages of cavities

I’ll explain the stages of tanghulu-related cavities

broadly divided into early, middle, and late stages.

Early cavity

An early cavity means decay limited to the outer part of the tooth,

the enamel.

This is a state in which the cavity has occurred only in the outermost layer of the tooth, the enamel.

Visually, it is characterized by white or brown spots,

and there is no pain, so it is difficult to notice on your own.

If it is early, it can be simply restored with a filling treatment.

Middle cavity

A middle-stage cavity is a state in which a larger area than in the early stage has decayed,

and the decay has passed through the enamel and progressed to the dentin (the inner tissue of the tooth).

In the middle stage, sensitivity may appear,

and pain may occur when eating cold or sweet foods.

When the cavity area gradually expands and turns dark, it can be considered middle stage.

At this stage, if treatment is delayed, there is a risk that the decay may reach the nerve,

so the decayed part must be removed and restored with a prosthetic such as resin, an inlay,

or a crown.

Late-stage cavity

In the late stage, the cavity has progressed to the nerve (pulp),

causing severe pain.

If the inflammation becomes severe, it can spread to the tooth root,

and if left untreated, the tooth may need to be extracted.

In such cases, root canal treatment is performed to remove the infected nerve tissue,

followed by prosthetic treatment.

Treatment changes according to the stage.

Types of cavity treatment

The types of cavity treatment include resin, gold inlay, ceramic inlay, and crowns.

The treatment is chosen differently depending on the stage of the cavity.

Gold inlays are strong and hard,

and because they are not easily broken, they have excellent long-term durability.

Ceramic inlays are one of the most preferred treatments these days.

Because they are the same color as the tooth, they are not noticeable.

A crown is a treatment used in the late stage of cavities

when the decayed area is extensive.

Before placing a crown, root canal treatment is performed,

which removes the infected nerve tissue.

You can think of it as the final step in saving the natural tooth.

Root canal treatment is usually performed 3 to 4 times, once a week,

and then the crown is placed after the nerve has been completely removed.

Improper eating habits can cause tanghulu-related cavities.

Getting into the habit of brushing your teeth right after eating helps prevent cavities.

Tanghulu is high in sugar, so thorough oral care is necessary.

Make it a habit to rinse your mouth with water after eating, floss, and brush with fluoride toothpaste! It is important to check your dental health through regular dental checkups. Enjoy it while maintaining proper oral care habits. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments. Thank you ^^

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