Dentist warns of surprisingly bad food for kids teeth
Many parents understand the importance of instilling healthy lifestyle choices for their children to set them up with good routines into adulthood. For many, the focus on diet and oral health is important to establish, to reduce health risks. Dentists from Gorgeous Smiles wanted to help educate and inform parents on how to make the best food choices for their children to keep their teeth healthy, so have shared tips on the worst foods to feed your children to avoid detrimentally impacting their oral health.
The risk of bad oral health for children
According to the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare, 1 in 3 children (aged 5 to 14) don’t brush their teeth twice a day, ignoring the recommended healthcare guidelines on dental care. The same data states that children in low-income households were twice as likely to have untreated decay in their primary (36%) and permanent teeth (15%) as children in high-income households (18% and 7%, respectively)*.
Boys are reportedly more likely to suffer bad oral health during childhood compared to girls, with 48% of boys reporting instances of plaque versus 37% of girls from past studies. This dataset also reported boys experienced more cases of gingivitis (early stage gum disease), periodonits (a serious gum disease)*. Looking at regional breakdowns, the data showed the prevalence of caries (tooth decay) was much higher in the Northern Territory and Queensland, also that instances of caries were more prevalent in indigenous children.
Food you may not expect is bad for kids’ teeth
Gorgeous Smiles’ dentists have warned parents to be aware of the impact of these foods they may not be aware are bad for teeth, see the advice here:
Citrus fruits
Whilst high in vitamin C citrus fruits are also high in acidity, which can cause enamel breakdown if eaten frequently. Weakening teeth enamel can be a contributing factor to tooth decay, if left untreated. Citrus fruits should be eaten occasionally, as they do have other health benefits, but parents should avoid giving their children a diet rich in citrus fruits.
Bananas
Bananas are another food that, whilst generally nutritious, are surprisingly high in sugars fructose and glucose. Like other sugary foods, bananas can cause cavities if not eaten as part of a balanced diet. Bananas can be starchy, making them stick more to teeth and increase the risk of tooth decay if eaten excessively. Parents should aim for low sugar consumption for kids’ diets.
Ice-cream
Ice-cream can sometimes go unnoticed as a risky food that could affect children’s teeth. A popular treat on trips out and special occasions, ice-cream is typically high in sugar which can lead to tooth decay as it wears away at enamel. The sugar in ice cream binds to gums and triggers the release of eroding acids, meaning you should feed your children it sparingly to protect their teeth long-term.
Dried fruit
Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, mangoes and apples are packed with sugar. The drying process removes water, making these fruits a more concentrated source of sugar compared to their fresh versions. Their sticky nature means they can easily get stuck in children’s teeth, allowing sugar to linger and giving bacteria ample time to thrive.
Cereal bars
Cereal bars are another sticky and chewy food which could be detrimental to children's teeth. Cereal bars can be misleading, as they are advertised to appear healthy but some brands are high in sugar. Sticky and chewy foods can easily lodge in the crevices of teeth, preventing saliva from neutralising plaque acid. This can result in tooth decay.
Potato chips
Parents may lean toward potato chips over candy as they assume the lower sugar means these snacks are better for kids teeth. This isn’t necessarily the case. High in starch, potato chips contain carbohydrates which break down into sugars when eaten, which combine with bacteria to produce acids that attack tooth enamel.
Bread and pasta
Breads and pastas are commonly made from simple starches, which perform similarly to chips and break down into sugar when exposed to microorganisms in the mouth. As mentioned, these starches break down into sugars and produce acid which is damaging to teeth long-term.
Sugar-free carbonated drinks
Although they may be free from sugar, carbonated drinks can still pose problems for children’s teeth. This is largely due to the acid found in these products, which creates damage and wears teeth enamel over time. Parents should also be wary of any carbonated drinks containing caffeine, as these are not at all recommended for children for a number of health reasons.
Tips for avoiding dental health decline for parents
Dr. Minoo Ghamari, Dental Expert from Gorgeous Smiles shares the following advice for parents:
“Starting early to prevent the development of oral health problems can serve children well as they age and encourage healthy habits they keep for life. We know that adults who have had dental decay in some teeth go on to have more into adulthood and those who don’t have regular dental check-ups are more prone to more serious oral health problems. Ensuring you have regularly scheduled appointments, ideally going no more than six months between appointments, can positively impact children's health as issues are spotted early on and tackled.
“Parents should also make sure children aren’t putting undue pressure on children’s teeth, such as biting hard materials as they eat, as this can lead to longer-term problems. Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day, especially before bed, to ensure plaque reduction which prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Fluoride toothpaste should be used.
“The World Health Organization recommends sugar intake should not exceed 10% of anyone’s daily energy intake, this is not only good for oral health but also contributes to a reduction in broader health problems linked to high sugar intake. Toddlers specifically should not be eating foods with added sugars or sweetening agents to ensure optimum oral health.”
Find our more: https://www.gorgeoussmiles.
About Gorgeous Smiles:
Gorgeous Smiles is an established dental clinic conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne’s bustling Central Business District. We are proud to have a team of talented dental surgeons with many years of working in general, paediatric, and cosmetic dentistry. We focus on providing our clients with a comprehensive range of affordable dental services tailored to their individual needs at our clinic. We are committed to customer satisfaction and aim to be as flexible as possible to accommodate the needs of each and every person who walks through our doors.
About Dr. Minoo Ghamari:
DMD, MRACDS Degree: DDS
Dr. Minoo Ghamari has obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Debrecen Hungary, and possesses extensive experience working in dental practices across three different continents. She has a keen interest in cosmetic dentistry and firmly believes that an individual's smile is one of their most valuable assets. Dr. Minoo provides exceptional dental care across all areas of dentistry, with a particular emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, where she displays exceptional expertise.
Sources:
* https://www.aihw.gov.au/
