What are fermentable carbohydrates?

Fermentable carbohydrates come in many varieties; the most common is sucrose. Sucrose is found in a sugar bowl and is added to candy, baked goods, sweet beverages, and more. A more subtle form of sugar is lactose, the sugar in milk.

While parents often do not consider milk as a sugary beverage, cariogenic bacteria do. S. mutans digest lactose in a similar manner to sucrose and both produce enamel-decaying acids. Parents may be aware that a nighttime bottle promotes dental decay. However, it is important for them to understand that all bottles containing beverages other than water are a culprit.

 Fructose and other sugars act in the same manner!