Valentine’s Day Candy Vs. Your Child’s Teeth

Suppose your little one has been complaining of toothache continuously. In that case, a visit to the pediatric dentist may reveal much-dreaded cavities as the cause. Now, cavities and tooth decay don’t always show up as pain. They may silently affect your child’s tooth until it is damaged significantly along with the surrounding tissues. That can result in more invasive treatment that you want to spare your child.

A common culprit for teeth problems when it comes to kids is sweets and candies. So, come this Valentine’s Day, make sure you know what’s good for them before they make a beeline for the candies.

Tooth decay and cavities

When the protective enamel coating the tooth is broken down, tooth decay is the result. With tooth decay setting in, cavities or caries appear in the form of holes in the child’s tooth. Most commonly, this happens when the child consumes carb-rich foods that are not cleaned out properly from the mouth.

The bacteria found in the mouth work on these remnants and transform them into plaque that covers the teeth. Slowly the enamel is ‘eaten’ away by the bacteria, leaving the tooth vulnerable. When the tooth is affected in this way, it begins to show up as white spots where the enamel is missing. The child may feel pain in the area around the affected tooth, but this may come only later in some cases.

The child may also complain of severe discomfort when eating very cold or hot foods. This means the tooth is now sensitive because it has been stripped of protective enamel. If you have not noticed the cavity at this stage, you may do so when it slowly turns brownish in colour. A deep cavity is an unmistakable deep brown.

Knowing what exposes kids to cavities and tooth decay helps you avert the issue.

Typically, sugary foods or starchy foods are the biggest culprits behind cavities and tooth decay. Not following a regular and appropriate oral hygiene routine allows the bacteria to flourish and harmful remnants to remain on the teeth’ surface and between them. Poor hydration reduces saliva flow, and that prevents the natural flushing out of the mouth, allowing bacteria to thrive. Your pediatric dentist will ask you about your child’s dental hygiene routine and pinpoint where you are going wrong.

Valentine’s sweets that are best avoided and which are recommended

Now that you know sugary stuff is not great for your kid, what can you do about keeping them from it, especially with Valentine’s Day coming up? Knowing which are the worst sweets for your child’s teeth helps you avoid them:

Hard candies: Did you know that crunching down on hard candy can crack a tooth? If the child has already undergone a dental procedure with the tooth, crunching hard candy can undo all of it. Also, these dissolve slower, which means your teeth and gums are coated with sugar that much longer.

Sour candies: The acid in these is extremely harmful to your teeth, leading quickly to decay and cavities.

Sticky and gummy candies: Even brushing and flossing may not get rid of this kind of sweet from the teeth, leaving it right there for bacteria to enjoy.

So, is there ‘good’ candy that kids can have? Thankfully, yes:

Sugar-free sweets: Lollipops and hard candies that are sugar-free are better alternatives. But do tell your child to suck on them and not bite down. Ensure that the sugar substitute used is safe for the child’s health and teeth.

Dark chocolate: Packed with antioxidants, dark chocolate has clear health benefits. It also has less sugar than regular chocolate, making it more teeth-friendly.

Fruit bars/ granola bars: Filled with natural sugars and the goodness of fruits and grains, these are the best alternatives to sugary treats. Candies with nuts are good, too, because they provide some grit to scrub away the remnants left on the teeth.

Regular visits to the pediatric dentist and a strict watch on what the child eats and how they care for their teeth should keep the need for cleanings and fillings at bay. Keep an eye on how much they consume as well as the condition of their teeth. That way, you can spot any trouble early and get it treated before it turns painful.