The number of preschoolers and young kids with cavities has continued to rise over the years, which begs the question, "Why?" While many parents may be aware of issues with the more commonly-known culprits such as soda, candy or high-sugary juices, there are plenty of other foods that can lead to tooth decay that are not so obvious.
Dr. Radin says many of the families she treats are shocked to hear that some of the foods and medicines they give their kids (sometimes on a daily basis) contain hidden cavity-culprits. Below, Dr. Radin shares her top six that may surprise you.
Cavity-culprit #1: Gummy vitamins. If you're one of the parents who assume there can't be a problem with a product containing "vitamins," you're not alone, says Dr. Radin.
"Most of the parents I warn about gummy vitamins are understandably upset because they believed they were giving their children something that was good for them, but were unknowingly giving candy in disguise," Dr. Radin explains. "Due to its stickiness, the risk for cavities far outweighs any benefits. Anything 'gummy-related' such as gummy bears, fish, etc., can adhere to teeth and is a perfect breeding ground for cavities."
The fix: Dr. Radin notes that it's important not to brush your child's teeth for at least 20 minutes after chewing a gummy vitamin as the bristles can actually help spread the sticky residue to neighboring teeth. Best bet is to have your child chew the gummy during a meal and rinse with water after; or better yet, make the switch to sugar-free chewable vitamins altogether, suggests Dr. Radin.
Cavity-culprit #2: Liquid medicines. As the song from Mary Poppins says, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down," which is exactly what drug companies have added (and then some) to some of today's children's medicines and cough syrups.
"A single dose of medicine can contain as much as 50% sugar, not to mention can contain high fructose corn syrup, which can significantly contribute to tooth decay," Dr. Radin says. "The biggest concern is that parents often give these medicines at bedtime - after teeth have been brushed. Tooth decay can occur as sugar will just sit on a child's teeth for the 8-12 hours he or she is sleeping, allowing bacteria in the mouth to do its worst."
The fix:The good news is that Dr. Radin says there are things parents can do to help lessen the effects.
"Try giving your child medicine during a meal, and not after," Dr. Radin explains. "That way, saliva can help break down the sugar and acid. In addition, it's important to brush thoroughly after giving medicine. Lastly, use a pill form whenever possible."
Cavity-culprit #3: Cereal. Touted as the most important meal of the day, breakfast is certainly a vital component in a child's overall nutrition; but cereals can be some of the worst offenders in the fight against cavities. According to a recent study at the University of Illinois, sugary cereals even eaten dry could cause tooth decay, and when followed by fruit juice, it is an even higher cavity-causing combination.
"What is so interesting about this study is that it showed that some sugary cereals when combined with milk will take on a 'syrup-like' texture, similar to rinsing with a 10 percent sugar solution," Dr. Radin explains. "Even the so-called 'healthy cereals' can contain boatloads of sugar, and will have sneaky cavity-culprits, such as sugar-coated raisins."
The fix: Dr. Radin advises adding natural fruits to a cereal base, such as bran or shredded wheat.
"Adding unsweetened raisins to bran flakes will not increase plaque-causing acid, plus you will be omitting any additional unnecessary sugar," Dr. Radin says. "You can also add fresh (or frozen) fruit such as raspberries or blueberries to cereal, or try sliced peaches or apricots mixed with natural yogurt, making it a tasty meal for kids without all of the damaging effects to tooth enamel."
Cavity-culprit #4: Carbohydrates. Foods laden with starch such as white bread, pizza, bagels, potato chips, crackers, etc., can convert to sugar almost immediately. In fact, consuming sugars or starches will cause cavity-producing acids to cover the teeth for 20 minutes or more after eating.
"Foods loaded with starch and high in carbs can wreak havoc on your child's teeth," Dr. Radin warns. "Cookies, candy, pretzels, crackers, and potato chips are carbohydrates that break down into sugar while they're still in the mouth. Bacteria in the mouth convert these sugars into acids, which dissolves tooth structure and can eventually cause tooth decay."
The fix: The best offense is a good defense, says Dr. Radin, meaning when eating fermentable carbs, combine them with other foods to help neutralize acids.
"If your son wants crackers, for instance, it is better to give him cheese with it because cheese naturally aids in neutralizing acids. You can also give him raw vegetables or crunchy fruits like apples with high water content to dilute the sugar - a healthy alternative if you don't have access to a toothbrush."
Want to read the full article about these sneaky cavity culprits? Be sure to check out the next issue of Yardley Life magazine, coming out mid-February, as this story will be on the cover!