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Kids love candy and soda pop. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anybody and you may be inclined to let your children indulge in a soda or piece of chocolate every once and awhile. But how does sugar affect your child’s teeth as they grow?
While sugar in moderation and a diligent home care regime can prevent most of the issues caused by sugar consumption, the biggest risk is tooth decay.
What is Tooth Decay
When a child’s teeth are exposed to an abundance of sugar, bacteria starts to grow on their chompers. This bacteria creates acids which can erode teeth, leading to gum disease and cavities.
Sugar on teeth creates plaque which is comprised of bacteria that feeds on the sugars you eat. As the bacteria feeds it creates acids that attack your teeth for 20 minutes after you eat. Over time these acids begin to break down tooth enamel causing more detrimental problems to your teeth.
Baby teeth are particularly susceptible to tooth decay as they are not as strong as adult teeth.
How to Combat Tooth Decay
The good news is that tooth decay is completely preventable. Here are some ways to stop the onslaught of tooth decay and keep your children’s teeth happy and healthy.
- Brush and floss! Your children should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily. It’s a good rule of thumb to always brush your children’s teeth immediately after having a high-sugar snack like ice cream or candy.
- Avoid juice. While it might seem like a healthier option, most fruit juices contain an inordinate amount of added sugars which can be just as unhealthy for teeth as a soda pop.
- Switch to Cups. After your child’s first birthday it is a good idea to switch from bottles with nipples to sippy cups. Cups tend to reduce the exposure of sugary substances to your child’s teeth.
- Fluoride Regimen. While most parents know to that brushing and flossing are important for healthy teeth, it is also important to maintain a fluoride regimen. It is recommended that children over the age of six should use fluoride mouthwash daily.
Finally, the best way to prevent tooth decay is to maintain regular visits to your pediatric dentist. We recommend that your children see the dentist a minimum of two times a years. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment.
