Harmful Foods for Children’s Teeth

Wilson, Greenville, Goldsboro, Rocky Mount, Raleigh & nearby areas

Mon, 05/20/2013

Even when you are diligent about monitoring your children’s diet, it can be difficult to eliminate all of the foods and drinks that are harmful for their teeth. This is especially true since some of the most harmful foods for your children’s teeth are also typically their favorites. In addition, some of these foods may be beneficial to their overall health, forcing you to balance between their oral health and general health needs.

It is important to be aware of which foods may damage your children’s teeth and gums in order to prevent the development of cavities at a young age. Some of the most harmful foods for your children’s teeth include:

  • Carbonated beverages and other soft drinks – These often have a high sugar content and contain acids which may damage your teeth.
  • Sports drinks and vitamin waters – These beverages may contain electrolytes and other important minerals, but they are also filled with sugar and acids which can lead to tooth decay.
  • Long-lasting and sticky sweets – Caramels and other gooey, sticky, sweet treats not only contain lots of sugar, but they also cling to the surfaces and crevices of your teeth for a long time. Similarly, lollipops and hard candies designed to be sucked on for an extended period of time are particularly harmful due to how long your teeth are exposed to all that sugar.
  • Dried fruits – While dried fruits such as raisins and apricots are often considered a healthy alternative to candy, they can be very harmful to your teeth. Dried fruits contain high concentrations of sugar, and their gummy texture causes them to stick to your teeth like caramels and other gooey candy.
  • Starchy foods – Starchy foods such as potato chips, pasta, and white bread can easily become stuck between your teeth. Your body quickly converts these starches to sugar, which can lead to decay over time.
  • Acidic foods and drinks – Citrus fruits and drinks may be part of a healthy diet, but they also contain powerful acids which can damage your teeth over time. Make sure your children rinse their teeth after eating citrus fruits and drinks to limit their damaging acidic properties.

One of the best ways to protect the health of your children’s teeth is to bring them to our Wilson dental office twice a year for regular checkups and teeth cleanings. Our dentists will examine your children’s teeth at these appointments to make sure there are no signs of decay. Our family dentistswill also educate your children on how to care for their teeth and gums at home in order to promote good oral hygiene practices at a young age.

Please contact Boles, Ham, Dixon & Boles today to schedule your child’s dental checkup. We serve patients in the Wilson, North Carolina area.

Dixon Boles & Associates