Sugar and Tooth Decay

Your child’s oral health is one of your most important concerns for parents. It can influence everything from social interactions to the need for more intense dental treatment later in life if overlooked. Sweets, other sugar-rich foods, and sugary drinks are common in many of the foods and drinks targeted at children and can lead to dental issues. At Sunshine Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, we are firm believers in preventive care and the importance of preventing dental issues before they can occur. Understanding how sugar can affect your child’s teeth is an important step in preventing tooth decay.

How Sugar Affects Your Child’s Teeth

Sugar creates conditions in the mouth that encourage bacterial growth. Sugar sticks to teeth and this leads to increased bacteria in the mouth that feed off of this collected sugar. Over time this causes acid and plaque to grow on the surface of your child’s teeth. This causes the enamel surface of your child’s teeth to wear away leading to cavities and tooth decay.  Combine sugar with gummies and it’s the perfect storm…so JUST SAY NO to GUMMY VITAMINS!!

Maintain Your Child’s Oral Health

There are several steps you can take to keep your child’s mouth healthy. Reducing sugar intake is important. However, you should also make sure they have plenty of water to drink to keep their mouth clean. Regular dental health and daily brushing are also essential. Finally, regular checkups are important as we can check your child’s teeth for any health concerns and address these issues before they become more severe.

Schedule An Appointment

When you need a pediatric dentist in Melbourne, we’re here to help. If you have concerns about your child’s dental health or are looking for a pediatric dentist, we invite you to contact us today. Scheduling an appointment is a great step toward your child’s healthy smile. We look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you may have.