Move Over, Sugar—THESE Foods Can Increase Your Risk of Cavities

Not just sugar; there are a slew of ingredients that can be trouble in disguise. According to a new study, the number of AMY1 genes plays an important role in how the bacteria in your mouth respond to starch—significantly increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease for some people.

“Most people have been warned that if you eat a bunch of sugar, make sure you brush your teeth,” said Dr. Angela Poole, senior author and assistant professor of molecular nutrition at Cornell University, which conducted the research. “The takeaway finding here is that depending on your AMY1 copy number, you may want to be just as vigilant about brushing your teeth after eating those digestible starches.”

The AMY1 gene produces salivary amylase, an enzyme that helps digest starch in the mouth. It also influences the composition of oral bacteria, which may have implications for your dental health.

A lot of previous studies associated AMY1 with cavities and periodontal disease due to high levels of the species Porphyromonas endodontalis. Starch also influences bacterial composition in the mouth, particularly affecting Veillonella and Atopobium. However, it was unclear how the salivary amylase enzyme interacts with its main substrate, starch, to alter the oral microbiome and increase disease risk.

"That's what we wanted to know in this experiment," Poole said. "What's going on in the mouth if someone eats starch, and is the answer different if their copy number is high or if it's low? What we found was that Veillonella and Atopobium responded differently depending on both AMY1 copy number and starch presence, suggesting that certain bacteria may be more influenced by genetic variation in starch digestion," she added.

According to the researchers, they collected saliva samples from 31 adults, each with different AMY1 copy numbers, and added starch to the cultured samples, or biofilms, observing how the bacterial makeup shifted.

In samples with high AMY1 numbers, the team found that starch significantly reduced the proportions of two bacteria—Atopobium and Veillonella—while Streptococcus levels increased. All three bacteria are associated with tooth decay or gum disease, according to Poole.

“Some increased and some decreased, so it’s not so straightforward as saying, ‘The whole thing is good or bad,’” Poole said. “It’s an interaction, but it looks like the AMY1 copy number, as well as which species are present in people’s mouths when they eat starch, is affecting the risk for developing these diseases.”

Experts believe the study findings do not mean that you should quit starch totally from your diet. Starch is an important source of carbohydrates, which play a vital role in a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. They provide energy and fibre, along with essential vitamins and minerals.

Starch-loaded foods include cereals, pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, beans, corn, and even bananas. According to experts, you must reduce high-starch foods from your diet, instead of completely eliminating them, and pair them with other high-nutrient ingredients for better oral health.

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