My child does not eat candy. Why are they getting cavities?
It could be what they drink and how often they drink it.
Candy gets a bad rap. It’s like that forbidden fruit we crave because we have been told that it isn’t good for us. But how much responsibility does candy bear when it comes to causing cavities in children or even adults?
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When we are faced with a common problem such as cavities, we must think of the most obvious causes. Often, I hear parents wondering out loud if “soft teeth” run in their family. They report that they had cavities, their parents had cavities and now they are frustrated because their kids have cavities.
Poor diet and bad oral hygiene still are the most common causes of dental decay. “Soft teeth” or genetically defective teeth can be inherited but the prevalence of inheritable genetic defects is very low in the general population. Additionally, most developmental defects of teeth are visible to the naked eye and the remaining can be diagnosed using X-rays.
While candy, especially the sticky kind, can cause cavities, another common culprit is sugary beverages or acidic drinks. I’m talking about soft drinks, sports drinks, sweet tea, citric drinks, chocolate milk, and almost every other drink except water.
When I first learned exactly how much sugar was hidden in these drinks, my mind was blown. Here’s an interesting representation to drive the message home.
Now you’re thinking- but wait, my child and I only drink zero sugar or Diet drinks. Unfortunately, those are still acidic. Acid erodes enamel. How often your teeth are exposed to this acid will determine how much erosion occurs. Erosion makes ones teeth more susceptible to cavities.
Here are some tricks to consume soft drinks safely -
• Drink them occasionally and preferably with a meal.
• Rinse your mouth with water or have milk/cheese afterward to neutralize the pH in your mouth.
• Use a straw to reduce contact with your teeth.
• Do not swish the drink around in your mouth.
• Finish drinking in no more than 15-20 minutes. Remember, it is the frequency, not the quantity that determines the level of erosion in your teeth.
• Read the label and see how much sugar is in your drink. Make smarter choices for happier teeth.
• Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after consuming an acidic beverage otherwise you will accelerate erosion with the mechanical scrubbing of your toothbrush.
What about chips and crackers? Well, those deserve another full blog post so more on that later!
Here’s an xkcd comic to drive the point home. If you have never read an xkcd comic, I’m very happy to be the one introducing you to it. You are welcome :D