“Good” or “Bad” for their Children’s Teeth
Many parents ask their dentists what is “good” or “bad” for their children’s teeth. Usually they would like a list of what is okay and what is not okay for children to eat, in addition to following good oral hygiene rules. However, you should understand that it is not only the type of food which can effect teeth, but how frequently it is eaten that impacts the health of children’s teeth.
More importantly, you should understand that it is not only children whose teeth are at risk from certain types of food.
The Question of Sugar
For decades dentists, doctors, and nutritionists have been telling us not to eat sugar, or at a minimum to limit our sugar intake. Dental patients have been trying to qualify and quantify this rule ever since it was created, perhaps failing to understand the implications of how sugar effects the teeth.
Sugar and sugary foods lower the pH balance in your mouth and saliva. Because your tooth enamel is made of 95% minerals, this can and does cause the breakdown of the minerals below a certain pH. The pH balance in your mouth can be lowered by virtually any type of sugar, including:
Sucrose (brown sugar or granulated sugar)
Lactose (milk)
Fructose (honey, corn syrup, such as found in soda pop)
Glucose (such as in fruits, fruit juices, and honey)
Maltose (yeast, potato chips, crisps)
Quantity vs. Frequency
New information is leading dental professionals to believe that the frequency of sugar intake has greater impact on teeth than the amount of sugar consumed. However, this too is a misleading statement. More correctly: The amount of time that sugars are allowed to languish in your mouth determines the risk of tooth damage and decay.
This may lead you to believe that any amount of sugar consumption is acceptable if you are vigilant to brush your teeth immediately after eating. However, you should be careful not to damage your teeth by brushing with excessive vigor or frequency. Two or three times a day should be sufficient, particularly if you are careful not to allow sugars to remain in your mouth, or to eat or drink them very frequently during the day.
You Are What You Drink
One of the biggest dangers to healthy teeth is not only the consumption of soda pop, but the lack of water intake. In many countries, fluoride is added to the water supply in small doses to help prevent tooth decay and encourage healthy tooth enamel. In addition, water helps promote healthy teeth and gums by flushing debris and bacteria away and by providing your body with necessary nutrients. Simply replacing soda pop with water will go a long way toward protecting your teeth from damage and decay.
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