Honey vs. Sugar: Which One Is Better For Your Oral Health?

Not All Sweet Substances Are Created Equal

We've always known sugar is problematic for oral health. What you might not know is that certain types of honey can actually reduce oral inflammation while other sweeteners can increase it by a staggering 78%.

Here's what the research revealed:

• Raw Manuka honey reduced oral inflammation markers by 35% when compared to control groups
• Regular refined sugar increased inflammatory markers by 78% within 24 hours of consumption
• Pasteurized commercial honey showed minimal benefits, with only a 7% reduction in inflammation

The Science Behind the Sweetness

Manuka honey contains a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO), which has powerful antimicrobial properties. When this compound interacts with oral bacteria, it disrupts their ability to form biofilms—the sticky matrix that allows bacteria to adhere to teeth and cause decay.

Which Type of Honey Are You Using?

If you're using commercially processed honey from the grocery store, you might be missing out on these benefits. Most commercial honey is:

• Heat-processed, which destroys beneficial enzymes
• Ultra-filtered, removing beneficial propolis and pollen
• Often mixed with high-fructose corn syrup

In contrast, raw Manuka honey has:

• 4x the antimicrobial compounds of regular honey
• Natural enzymes that remain intact
• No added sugars or processing

The Feno Approach to Oral Health

At Feno, we believe oral health is the gateway to overall health. That's why the Feno Smartbrush system is designed to not just clean teeth, but to monitor your overall oral health with our AI-powered scanning technology.

When combined with smart dietary choices—like choosing the right sweeteners—you're taking a comprehensive approach to not just oral health, but your overall health.

What You Can Do Today

1. Check your honey labels—look for "raw" and "unpasteurized"
2. Limit refined sugar intake to reduce oral inflammation
3. Consider Manuka honey with UMF 10+ rating for maximum benefits
4. Remember: even beneficial honey should be consumed in moderation

Recent studies show that switching from refined sugar to raw honey could reduce your risk of periodontal disease by up to 27% over five years. That's a simple change with significant impact.