Are fruits Bad for Kids teeth?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blogpost will cover the topic Are fruits Bad for Kids teeth? And also include topics like: Fruit sugars and acid: What do they do to your teeth?
The effects of fruit on kids’ teeth.
Best and Worst Foods for Children’s Teeth.
How to enjoy your fruit fix without affecting your teeth?
Eating fruit vs. drinking fruit juice: Which is better for your teeth?
Helpful tips when it comes to kids & fruit.
Are fruits bad for kids’ teeth?
Yes, fruits that have a high acidic content can damage your child’s teeth. Citrus fruits have an acidic content that can erode the enamel leading to development of cavities.Sometimes bits of fruit can get caught in among your children’s teeth and if they’re snacking on fruit all of the time, it’s a consistent supply of sugar in their mouth.
Fruit sugars and acid: What do they do to your teeth?
We all know that fruits are packed with nutrients and vitamins but it is also important to remember that they contain acid and sugar which can be bad for your kid’s teeth.
The sugar from fruits and juices can linger on the surface of the teeth and contribute to the development of bacteria.this bacteria when comes in contact with sugar produces acid and invades the enamel which is the protective layer of the tooth making it susceptible to tooth decay.
On the other hand,the acid present in fruits such as pineapples, grapes and oranges can also soften the enamel and lead to enamel erosion.
Signs of enamel erosion in teeth include:
Increased sensitivity
Discolouration
Rounded teeth
Transparency
Cracking
The effects of fruit on kids’ teeth.
You may think fruits are healthy and snacking on them frequently will benefit your child’s health, but you must always keep in mind the type of fruit you are providing to your child and what effects it might have. Here are some effects that different forms of fruits may have on your child’s teeth:
Fresh fruits
Fresh fruit consists of a lot of natural sugar such as in watermelon, apples, berries, oranges etc.
A lot of times fruit particles get stuck in the teeth which then keeps on releasing sugar, which is bad for the teeth.
Fruit juices
Fruit juices have a high content of sugar and are often very acidic. The issue is that children keep on sipping on the juice slowly which make the presence of sugar and acid in their mouth constant. The presence of acid can contribute to the erosion of the enamel while sugar contributes to the formation of cavities.
Dried fruit
Dried fruits like raisins, dried cranberries, mangoes, and apples have a high sugar content. The dehydration process removes water making them a more concentrated source of sugar than the fresh fruit.
They are also sticky to eat and can get adhered to the teeth for hours,giving the bacteria ample amount of time to multiply and produce acid.
Canned fruits
Canned fruits consist of a lot of syrup fruit which itself has a high sugar content. This sugar is added artificially to the syrup for the sake of preservation. Although they should be avoided, in case your kids enjoy fruits this way make sure they drink lots of water right after eating them.
If your kids will only eat fruit this way, make sure they eat it all at once and that they drink water straight away afterwards.
Best and Worst Foods for Children’s Teeth
All of us want our children to have healthy and strong teeth and that’s why we teach them good oral habits from a young age. But the goal is to understand that keeping teeth healthy goes beyond having good oral habits. Diet and nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining healthy and strong teeth, here are some best and worst food for your children’s teeth:
Best foods for children’s teeth
NUTS
Most of the nuts and seeds consist of high amounts of phosphorus and calcium, which protects the enamel from acid attack. One thing that you should be cautious about is that some nuts are very hard and can damage children’s teeth and so should be eaten in supervision.
APPLES
Apples are a great source of fibre and iron and eating them is an amazing way to wear off the plaque sitting on the teeth.
CARROTS AND CELERY
Carrots and celery are crunchy snacks that help to scrub off deposits from the surface of the teeth. Both of them also have a high water content that helps maintain pH of the mouth. Like apples, these crunchy snacks are great at scrubbing the surface of teeth. Also,because of the fibrous nature of celery it is called nature’s floss.
DAIRY
All the dairy products including milk, cheese, yogurt are a great source of calcium , phosphorus and casein which help build up strength of the teeth and also these minerals neutralize acids produced by bacteria in the mouth thereby maintaining the pH of the mouth.
GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES
Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale , broccoli are rich in folic acid which is very important for healthy gums and teeth.
EGGS
Eggs are rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin D, which is essential for good oral health.
Worst food for children’s teeth
SUGARY DRINKS
Sugary drinks are packed with acid and sugar which are harmful for the teeth. Sugary drinks include fruit juices, sodas, energy drinks etc. Encourage your kid to drink milk which is beneficial for teeth rather than sugary drinks.
CHIPS
Chips are sticky and have no nutrients. They contain starch which gets stuck in between the teeth and breaks down into sugar that in turn promotes cavity. Hence it is important to limit such food and also to teach them to floss regularly
CANDY
Candy is full of sugar and probably the worst food for kids. Candy is the most cavity causing food.
Candies are sticky in nature and may get stuck in between the teeth or in their grooves present on the surface, which cannot be removed easily by brushing teeth. This makes it very easy for the bacteria to grow on it and produce acid.
Sour candy is acidic in nature and therefore promotes tooth decay.
Hence, it is important to teach children to brush and floss properly.
DRIED FRUIT
Dried fruits are full of concentrated sugar which is bad for the teeth and hence should be eaten mindfully.
CITRUS AND BERRIES
These fruits are full of acid and you should rinse your mouth as soon as you eat such fruits. The acid present in these fruits can discolor or stain teeth.
ICE
Ice is very hard and can easily damage the enamel and it can make the existing dental problem like loosening of teeth or sensitivity worse. Not only kids but also adults should not try eating ice.
If your child develops a habit of chewing ice, try to limit their access. Give them drinks that are chilled without ice.
BREAD
Bread is the most commonly eaten staple in every household. It is easy to prepare and can be used in a number of ways. But just like chips it is high in starch and breaks down into simple sugar very easily thus promoting tooth decay. Consider switching to whole wheat options.
How to enjoy your fruit fix without affecting your teeth?
Consuming fruits which are high in sugar or acid is not bad as long as you don’t eat them in excess. But even then, always remember to rinse your mouth after eating them.
Try to choose fruits that are low in acidity and sugar – like berries, peaches and apples. Citrus fruits like oranges should be consumed in moderation.
It is always a good idea to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after eating sweet fruits, as this can help to remove the sugar left on the tooth’s surface.
Eating fruit vs. drinking fruit juice: Which is better for your teeth?
It is always wise to choose to eat whole fruit rather than drinking fruit juice. Fruit juices contain preservatives and have high amounts of sugar and acid and low nutrient values. Frequent consumption of juices can lead to development of cavities in children.
Even if your kids choose to drink fruit juices, always make them use straws and make sure they rinse their mouth with water right after drinking it.
Helpful tips when it comes to kids & fruit.
Here are some tips to remember when it comes to kids & fruit:
Never limit your kid’s fruit intake but do keep a close check when they eat.
Teach your kids to floss, so that any bits of fruit stuck between the teeth can be removed as soon as possible.
Do not brush your child’s teeth immediately after drinking fruit juice or eating a citrus fruit which contains acid. This is because the acid makes the surface of the tooth sensitive and makes the enamel soft temporarily and therefore brushing immediately can lead to the erosion of enamel.
Train your kids to rinse their mouth with water everytime they eat fruit or drink fruit juice. This would help to flush the sugar remaining in the mouth and hence reduce chances of tooth decay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Can fruit damage kids’ teeth?
Yes, the acid and sugar present in fruits can damage kids’ teeth.
The sugar present in fruits makes the teeth more susceptible to tooth decay while the acid from the fruits promotes erosion of the enamel.
Are apples bad for children’s teeth?
No apples are not bad for children’s teeth. The crunchy and fibrous texture of apples helps in stimulating gums and also can help in removal of plaque and bacteria from the spaces between the teeth.
What fruits are bad for teeth?
Fruits which are highly acidic such as limpe, grapefruit, oranges etc. are bad for teeth when consumed frequently. They can wear down the enamel making the teeth more sensitive.
What foods cause plaque on teeth?
Foods which are high in sugar and starch such as breads, candies, chocolates, chips, soft drinks etc. get stuck on the teeth and promote plaque accumulation.
Can fruit mess up your teeth?
Fruits high in acidic and sugary content can mess up your teeth when consumed regularly while not maintaining good oral hygiene.