Four Summer Foods That Lead to Your Children Getting Cavities

Posted on: 27 December 2018

It's summer, and that means the kids are off school, and you are a little more relaxed about what they get up to during the day since you're not on a tight school schedule. The only problem is that when it comes to your children's teeth, cavities can strike when your guard is down. It's difficult enough to get them to still brush their teeth twice a day while on holiday, but are you also paying attention to what they are eating? Here are four summer food choices that could lead to dental trouble in the near future.

Citrus Fruits

You may think you are doing the right thing by encouraging them to eat sweet, juicy oranges this time of year, but the acidity in this fruit is really harmful to the enamel of your children's teeth. Lemon and limes are also high in acidity, so if your child is drinking or eating anything citrusy, then they should rinse their mouth out with water after finishing their fruit. This helps ensure the acid does not linger on the teeth to do damage.

Candy Canes

Candy canes are not the only type of lolly highly accessible to your child at this time of year. It is not unusual for your favourite aunt to have a tin of toffee nearby on offer to visitors. However, sugar is an enemy to your children's teeth. Sugar feeds the bacteria in the mouth, which like to eat away at the enamel of the teeth. The next thing you know, your child has sensitive teeth and a number of cavities requiring attention. Be sure to limit their daily consumption of sugar.

Fizzy Drinks and Condiments

Fizzy drinks are another high sugar problem for your kids. Some parents switch to sports drinks in the hope they are more dental friendly, but these drinks also contain a high level of sugar. To keep the teeth free of cavities, encourage the drinking of water. Add a little sugar-free cordial for taste if you must. Anything to keep the water flowing through the body.

Finally, make sure you keep an eye on the condiments piled on top of their meals at night because things like tomato sauce also have high sugar content. The more attention you pay to your child's diet over the summer break, the less likely you are to have to try and schedule an appointment to deal with cavity fillings during the school year.

For more information about preventing cavities in your children's mouths, talk to your dentist.

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