Final answer:
Foods rich in sugars and carbohydrates that can be metabolized by dental plaque contribute to tooth decay and dental diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. Carbohydrates are essential for providing the body with energy and are stored as glycogen or fat, while fiber aids in digestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Foods that contain sugars or other carbohydrates metabolizable by bacteria in plaque, specifically by Streptococcus mutans, are associated with the production of biofilms on teeth. When these carbohydrates, such as sucrose, are broken down by plaque bacteria, it results in the production of glucose and fructose. Glucose is used to build the dextran matrix of the plaque, while fructose is fermented into organic acids like lactic acid, which can dissolve tooth minerals and cause tooth decay. The calcified form of heavy plaque is known as tartar or dental calculus, significantly contributing to dental diseases including gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Carbohydrates, as the primary source of organic carbons in the body, are broken down into glucose and utilized for energy. These digestible carbohydrates are stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles and converted to fats for longer-term energy storage. Fibers, indigestible by humans, assist in gut motility and are partially utilized by intestinal flora.
The consumption of carbohydrates involves a process of digestion starting in the mouth with salivary amylase and ending with glucose made available for metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis to generate ATP.