You already know that sweet, sticky foods like caramels, taffy and jujubes are bad for kids’ teeth. That?s because they contain a lot of sugar, and sugar can cause tooth decay?especially when it adheres to teeth and isn?t quickly brushed away.
But gooey, sticky candy isn?t the only common kid snack that can lead to cavities in kids’ teeth or other oral health problems. Here are some others that may surprise you.
1. Citrus fruits
Oranges, clementines and mandarins are a nutritious source of vitamin C, which is important for healthy gums. But citrus fruits are also highly acidic, which is an enemy to tooth enamel.
?Acid from citrus fruits can erode tooth enamel, making your child?s teeth weaker and more susceptible to cavities,? says Bryan Lazarus, a dentist at Highview Dental in Aurora, Ont. Of course, that doesn?t mean you should stop giving citrus fruits to your kids. Instead, just be sure to avoid brushing your kids? teeth for 30 minutes after they?ve eaten citrus, recommends Mahvareh Akhgar Araghi, a pediatric dentist with Smiletown in Cambridge, Ont. ?This helps avoid scraping off the softened enamel before it hardens by saliva,? she says.
Lazarus advises parents to discourage kids from sucking on orange slices or grapefruit wedges, since the direct and prolonged contact is bad for tooth enamel. ?I have some patients that like to suck on lemons, which is clearly just terrible for your teeth,? he says.
2. Crackers and potato chips
There isn?t a ton of sugar i...