Parents, beware! For the amount of sweets your little ones have gobbled up during the summer holidays might have you worried about their pearly whites - but it's not just the obvious culprits which wreak havoc on their dental health. Fear not, though, as Dr. Minoo Ghamari from Gorgeous Smiles is on hand to give grown-ups some much-needed advice on where their kids might be slipping up.
"For many, the focus on diet and oral health is important to establish, to reduce health risks," the dental expert began. "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).
" Dr. Ghamari continued by stressing the importance of starting early to prevent the development of oral health problems. This can set children up for a lifetime of good habits and healthy teeth.
He then went on to list several food groups to watch out for, explaining how each one - some more surprising than others - can negatively impact kids' dental health. Citrus fruits "Citrus fruits, while high in vitamin C, also have a high acidity level which can lead to enamel breakdown if consumed frequently," warns Dr. Ghamari.
"This weakening of tooth enamel can contribute to tooth decay if not addressed. While citrus fruits do offer other health benefits, they should be eaten sparingly and children should not have a diet rich in these fruits." Bananas Bananas, despite being generally nutritious, are surprisingly high in the sugars fructose and glucose, which can negatively impact dental health.
"Like other sugary foods, bananas can cause cavities if not part of a balanced diet," adds the doctor. "They can be starchy, causing them to stick to teeth and increase the risk of tooth decay if eaten excessively. Parents should aim for low sugar consumption in their children's diets.
" Ice cream Despite its dairy and calcium content, ice cream can often be overlooked as a food that could harm children's teeth. "A favourite treat during outings and special occasions, ice cream is typically high in sugar which can lead to tooth decay as it erodes enamel," says Dr. Ghamari.
"The sugar in ice cream binds to gums and triggers the release of eroding acids, so it should be given to children sparingly to protect their long-term dental health." Dried fruit Dried fruit snacks such as raisins, cranberries, mangoes and apples are another common mistake. "The drying process removes water, making these fruits a more concentrated source of sugar compared to their fresh versions," warns Dr.
Ghamari. "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 food that could harm children's teeth, and one you wouldn't suspect.
"They can be misleading, as they are advertised to appear healthy but some brands are high in sugar," Dr. Ghamari continues. "Sticky and chewy foods can easily lodge in the crevices of teeth, preventing saliva from neutralising plaque acid.
This can result in tooth decay." Crisps Parents may opt for crisps over sweets, assuming the lower sugar content makes these snacks better for kids' teeth, but this isn't necessarily the case, according to the doctor. "High in starch, they contain carbohydrates which break down into sugars when eaten, which combine with bacteria to produce acids that attack tooth enamel," he says.
Bread and pasta Dr. Ghamari continues his advice, turning his attention to carbohydrates. He explains that breads and pastas, often made from simple starches, behave much like crisps in the mouth, breaking down into sugar when they encounter oral microorganisms.
"As mentioned, these starches break down into sugars and produce acid which is damaging to teeth long-term," he warns. Sugar-free fizzy drinks Choosing zero sugar versions of your children's favourite beverages doesn't necessarily safeguard their teeth. Despite being devoid of sugar, the acid present in these drinks can cause damage and erode tooth enamel over time.
"Parents should also be wary of any fizzy drinks containing caffeine, as these are not at all recommended for children for a number of health reasons," Dr. Ghamari concludes..
