Why Do I Have a Sweet Tooth?

Q. Why do I have a sweet tooth? Why do I crave sweets so much? – S.A.

A. It is most interesting that your letter came the same day as my California State Dental Journal. An article directed to dentists has, in its introduction material, some of the reasons for that sweet eating habit of yours. It is by Dr. Hugo Kulstad, one of our state’s leading children’s dentists [in 1977]. It is so good I am going to quote it verbatim as my answer to your question:

“Sugar is an addictive substance, not a food. It has the same power over the user as tobacco and alcohol, only it is much worse, because of the way the habit is acquired.

“Starting at birth, it seems that every effort is made to force an infant to begin to need sugar. Before a baby has even erupted a tooth, he is hooked on sweetened foods and drinks and will refuse those foods with natural flavors. As soon as he can be enticed or bribed, he is further pushed toward sugar addiction with ice cream, candy, desserts of all kinds, and sweetened beverages.

“The ‘baby bottle’ is ample evidence of this; before the second birthday, a baby’s upper anterior teeth can be destroyed. And, since very few babies are breast-fed for the normal length of time, hardly any child can escape these early months of addiction conditioning.

Once a child is old enough to propel himself, he soon learns where to find the family cache of goodies and how to help himself. And were this not to be allowed, the budding addict would soon find that by making enough noise, he will get his desired and needed drug.

“As the sugar addict grows up, all food, beverages, and other items that are taken into the mouth must be sweetened. The manufacturers and distributors of these items use all the skills of the advertising world and plenty of money to sell their wares–and with a great deal of success.”