Oral Health: Beyond Brushing to the “Hidden Sugars” in Kids’ Snacks
Did you know that children’s snacks and drinks contain far more sugar today than they used to? Many parents are concerned about reducing sugars in their children’s diet to benefit their general health, and dental health is also a worry for many families here in Ireland, with 18% of parents citing it as a major source of concern for their children.
Many foods and drinks that are designed and marketed for children are high in sugar and can damage teeth over time. This includes foods that you may not expect, such as yoghurts, cereals and smoothies, and snacking throughout the day can mean that children’s teeth are exposed to sugar all day long. Let’s take a look at some of the culprits you might not expect to be high in sugar, and find out more about protecting your child’s teeth.
Establishing Good Oral Health From the Start
Helping your children to take care of their teeth can ensure that they establish good habits from the start, and this includes making visits to the dentist regularly. Tooth decay is a problem that develops gradually, but when it begins early, it is more likely to cause pain and infection, as well as disrupt sleep and cause problems with eating.
Even before your child has teeth, their dental habits can have an effect on their oral health in the long term. Baby teeth usually appear around the age of 6-12 months, although some children will get their teeth earlier than this, and these will usually begin falling out from around 5-7 years old. While they are not permanent, baby teeth are essential for learning to speak, eat and chew correctly, as well as maintaining space for adult teeth and supporting oral health and general health.
Visiting the dentist is an essential part of looking after your child’s health, and dentists recommend that every child visit the dentist before the age of one year old. This visit will begin to build lifelong positive dental habits and will help to ensure that your child feels comfortable with your family dentist. At a child’s first dental visit, the dentist will check that teeth are developing properly and look for any early signs of decay, which can be due to genetics. They will also be able to provide advice on diet and tooth brushing, which can help you to care for your child’s teeth at home.
Hidden Sugars in Children’s Snacks
High levels of sugar in foods and drinks designed for kids are one of the leading causes of tooth decay in children. When children snack on sugary snacks, this encourages bacteria in the mouth and produces acids that can eat away at the enamel that protects the teeth. Even snacks that are marketed as healthy or natural often contain high levels of sugar, and parents who use these for convenience are often shocked to discover that they carry such a risk of damage to the teeth.
Some of the most common children’s snacks with high sugar content include:
- Breakfast cereals. Have you ever looked at the ingredients in your child’s favourite cereal? These often contain high levels of sugar, even if they are advertised as healthy or whole-grain options. While we might expect chocolate-coated cereals to be high in sugar, there are many honey-flavoured options and even granola-style cereals that also include a lot of sugar. Look out for low sugar alternatives (but check that harmful sweeteners are not substituted instead) or try making your own cereal with natural ingredients such as wholegrain oats and fresh fruit.
- Fruit juice. Many people assume that juice is a healthy option, but even 100% fruit juice contains natural sugars and acids. Drinks can be especially harmful to teeth as they tend to be sipped throughout the day, meaning that the teeth are exposed to sugars and acids for longer. Dentists recommend restricting juice to mealtimes and brushing teeth 30 minutes later, and sticking to water or milk at other times of day.
- Yoghurt is often seen as a healthy food for kids, but even those that are promoted as healthy options, with added calcium and probiotics, can contain a lot of sugar. Fruity flavours often have several teaspoons of added sugar to make them taste sweeter, which appeals to children. As an alternative, plain natural yoghurt with fresh fruit can be a healthier choice.
- Cereal bars. Cereal bars and dried fruit snacks are often a go-to choice for picnics and lunchboxes, and parents often assume that these are a healthier choice than chocolate or sweets. However, many of these bars and snacks contain sugar coatings, glucose syrups and dried fruits, which contain concentrated sugar, and these can stick to teeth and cause decay. Rice cakes and wholegrain crackers are a healthier choice, along with vegetable sticks and cheese.
- Fruit smoothies and drink pouches are often marketed as a healthy option, but these contain a lot of sugar, and this sits on the teeth for longer when these are sipped throughout the day. A piece of fruit is usually a better choice for dental health, since the chewing action encourages saliva in the mouth, which can help to protect the teeth.
Whatever your children are eating, it is important to consider how long sugars sit on their teeth. Acids attack the teeth for about 30 minutes after a sugary snack or meal, so snacking throughout the day may mean that the teeth do not get a break from sugars. You can combat this damage by giving your child their sweet treat with a meal, so that they have a longer period without sugar on the teeth. It can also help to eat a piece of cheese at the same time as a sugary snack, as this can help to neutralise harmful acids.
Building Dental Habits That Last
Ensuring that your children’s teeth have a break between snacks can help to reduce tooth decay, and you can make other simple changes, such as serving sweet treats at mealtimes rather than as a separate snack. However, there are other ways to protect your child’s dental health, including:
- Brushing teeth twice every day.
- Ensuring that teeth are brushed for two minutes each time, cleaning each surface of each tooth.
- Using a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Supervising while brushing, especially at night time.
- Encourage your child to drink water.
- Checking ingredients in snacks and drinks.
- Visiting the dentist regularly.
These can all help to protect your child’s teeth and teach them good dental habits as they grow older. Most childhood tooth decay is preventable, and you can help your child to develop strong, healthy teeth that last a lifetime.
Healthy Choices at WonderCare
At WonderCare, we can help you with any healthcare concerns you may have as you raise your family. Our experienced team can offer dietary and lifestyle advice, and we can help you to find the right solutions for you and your children. We stock a wide range of skincare, hair and beauty products for all ages and skin types, and you can visit us in store or order from our website for delivery to your door.
