Sugar is often the main ingredient in most of our favorite foods, including ice cream, cookies, soft drinks, and pie. Children’s dentistry experts in Kingston reveal that while it’s easy for parents to limit their kid’s sugar intake when it comes to candy and desserts, when sugar is hidden in seemingly healthy foods and drinks, planning meals can get tricky.
If you’ve noticed that your toddler has more cavities than normal or their gums are swollen, red, and puffy, continue reading. This blog explores the impact sugar has on your child’s teeth, ways to spot hidden sugars in foods and snacks, and some healthy alternatives to sugary foods.
What Are The Effects Of Sugar On Your Children’s Teeth?
Leading children’s dentistry specialists in Gig Harbor, including the professionals at Children For Dentistry, reveal that sugar doesn’t directly cause cavities and leads to tooth decay. Instead, the acid and bacteria from sugary snacks and beverages cause these frustrating dental issues.
When children consume sugar and don’t clean their mouths properly afterward, bacteria feed off the sugar stuck to their teeth. This process results in plaque buildup, eventually eating away at the teeth’s protective outer layer, known as the enamel. Top children’s dentistry professionals in Seabeck also reveal that these untreated cavities can cause tooth decay and other health issues.
Ways to Prevent Sugar-Mediated Tooth Decay
The following pediatric preventive teething care dental tips can help keep your child’s teeth healthy by preventing any sugar-related dental decay. Some of these child-friendly oral hygiene habits will assist you in reducing the quantity of sugar your kids consume, while others will decrease the harm sugar causes.
1. Avoid sticky foods and drinks
Sticky carbs like hard candies, lollipops, and soft drinks cling to the teeth, increasing the likelihood of bacteria generating acid. They’re linked to tooth decay and can linger in your mouth, causing cavities.
Top children’s dentistry experts in Bremerton recommend avoiding sugary or acidic beverages, sipping sweet drinks, and consuming sticky foods.
2. Don’t offer sugar before bed
Most children’s dentistry experts in Port Orchard state that putting your junior to bed with a sugary beverage or food exposes their oral cavity to sugar all night and will definitely lead to tooth decay over time.
3. Look at the food label
Look at the nutrition facts label on foods and drinks in the package and check the amount of added sugars on the particular product. Top children’s dentistry specialists in Port Townsend suggest looking for the following names on food labels to spot hidden sugars:
- Honey
- High fructose corn syrup
- 100% fruit juice
- Rice syrup or any other kind of syrup
- Agave nectar
- Fruit juice concentrate
- Evaporated can juice
- Any kind of “-ose,” including lactose, glucose, fructose, sucrose, dextrose, and maltose.
Some children’s dentistry experts in Belfair, like our professionals at Dentistry For Children, also suggest checking for the “added sugar” tag on the food label.
4. Ditch sugar during food prep
Leading children’s dentistry professionals in Hansville suggest preparing food for your child at home without adding sugar.
5. Substitute sugar with Other Options
Leading children’s dentistry specialists in Bainbridge Island also recommend replacing sweet foods with other healthy sugar substitutes. The following nutritional and low-sugar alternatives will lessen your stress and show you how doable lowering your toddlers’ sugar intake is:
- Popcorn
- Celery and cream cheese
- Sweet potato chips
- String cheese
- Pepper Nachos
- Pretzels
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Guacamole and pita wedges
- Parmesan fries
- Zucchini chips
6. Keep Trying
Most children’s dentistry specialists in Port Ludlow, even the ones at Dentistry For Children, are of the opinion that little ones need to be exposed to foods thirty times or so before they learn to like them. So, you need to offer them bitter food and vegetables until they appreciate them.
Strategies to Keep Your Child’s Teeth Healthy and Happy
Leading children’s dentistry experts in Poulsbo share five tips you can use to support your child’s oral hygiene:
1. Brush together
To model positive oral health routines, consider making tooth brushing twice a day a family affair. Teaching your kids that this is an important habit you’ve even adopted for yourself can help them develop good oral hygiene.
2. Flossing
Your kid can start flossing around the age of two when they have prominent teeth that touch. Remember, there are many ways to clean in between your child’s teeth, from traditional flossing to floss picks. Our team at Dentistry For Children can help you find the right preventive care method for your little one based on their age, dental experience, and preferences.
3. Use fluoride
A kid-safe toothpaste with fluoride helps strengthen and protect your child’s teeth. When choosing the right pick, look for one with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance. Again, our team at Dentistry For Children can help you find the best possible option for your child’s orthodontic care.
4. Visit us routinely
With biannual visits to us, our team of expert pediatric dentists in Bainbridge can check your child’s teeth regularly. This way, if there are any signs of an issue like gum irritation, cavities, or tooth decay, we can address it before it becomes painful or significantly compromises your child’s dental health.
5. Check if sealants are right for your child
Dental sealants help stop bacteria from building up, where it’s most likely to cause tooth decay in your child. Consult our specialists to ascertain if this preventive orthodontic care option would benefit your child’s sweet smile.
Final Takeaway
Choosing a reliable pediatric dental expert in Silverdale, Port Ludlow, and Hansville is a significant decision. You need to look for a credible children’s dentistry firm that is known to be great with minors and is backed up by friendly and professional staff in a safe, warm, and friendly environment. Luckily, Dentistry For Children meets all these criteria and more.
We aim to tailor a child-friendly approach sensitive to the patient’s age, past dental experience, temperament, and parent’s desires.
Our clinical staff provides dental services under the instruction and supervision of a dentist. They also offer pediatric dental advice by explaining each procedure at an age-appropriate level, addressing any concerns from parents, and making patients comfortable during their appointments.
Schedule an appointment with our team today.
