Protecting Your Child’s Smile: How Sugar Affects Teeth

Children have an intense preference for saltness and sweetness from birth, and it doesn’t stop until late teens. While there is nothing to worry about your child’s liking for sweet things, overindulgence can compromise your child’s smile. South OC Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Mission Viejo, California, looks at how sugar can affect your young one’s oral health and how you can create positive dental health habits that will last a lifetime. 

The effects of sugar on oral health

You probably know that overconsumption of sugar can cause dental problems, but you may not know exactly how that happens. It’s not the sugar that causes damage but what happens after consumption.

• Cavities: The oral cavity is home to billions of bacteria — some good, others harmful. When sugars are left in the mouth because of poor oral hygiene, this sets the harmful bacteria on a feeding frenzy. As the bacteria feed on the leftovers, they release acidic substances as byproducts, which erode the protective outer layer of the tooth (the enamel). Enamel erosion causes small holes that eventually become cavities. If left untreated, cavities progress beyond the enamel and reach the deeper tissues in the tooth, resulting in pain and possible tooth loss
• Gum disease: How is sugar linked to gum disease? The starches left in the mouth provide the fuel for the bacteria that contribute to plaque formation. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms in the mouth but is easily removable with diligent oral hygiene. Unfortunately, when left to thrive, the bacteria in plaque inflame your gums, causing swelling, redness, and bleeding
• Bad breath: Sugar leftovers in the mouth speed up the growth of odor-causing bacteria, especially if you slack in your oral hygiene

How to protect your child’s smile

Your child’s love for sweetened drinks, cookies, and other sugary treats can affect oral health, causing pain, premature tooth loss, and poor aesthetics. Good news! You can do something about it. Our pediatric doctors — Drs. John De Lorme and Sam Wu — share tips to ensure sugary foods don’t “consume” your child’s oral health.

• Good oral habits: While you can reduce your child’s sugar intake, that’s not all there is to do. Teach your child to brush and floss their teeth daily. Find fun ways to do it because children are easily bored by routine tasks
• Fluoride dental treatments: Fluoride prevents cavities and reverses early stages of dental decay. Topical fluoride treatments strengthen the enamel against decay-causing bacteria
• Dental sealants: A dental sealant is a protective coating applied to the chewing surfacps of teeth to shield the tooth from acids and harmful bacteria. Alongside good oral hygiene, dental sealants effectively overcome cavities
• Routine dental appointments: There is no substitute for professional dental evaluations. See a pediatric dentist every six months for routine oral exams and cleanings. These check-ups help to detect and prevent oral issues before they become hard to treat

By limiting your child’s intake of sugary foods and showing them proper oral hygiene techniques, you’ll help prevent damage of sugar on your little one’s smile. Add routine dental check-ups at South OC Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, and you have a great shot at winning the battle against gum disease, cavities, and bad breath.

Please call (949) 581 5800 to help keep your child’s oral health on track. 

Share this Article