Sugar and cavities in children are firmly linked in most parents’ minds. Candies and cookies take the blame, yet they are not the whole story.
A multi-factorial disease
Dental caries has many contributing factors. Some sit under our control, while others, such as anatomical, physiological and genetic factors, do not.
The controllable ones are well known:
- Dietary imbalance
- Frequent snacking
- Improper brushing
- Inconsistent or absent flossing
Because these can be brought under voluntary control, they are the ones worth discussing. Oral hygiene and dietary guidance are therefore central to routine consultations.
Processed and unprocessed sugar
Sugar intake has long been regarded as the prime cause of cavities. In nutrition, though, sugar comes in processed and unprocessed forms.
Processed forms such as candies and cookies are high in glucose. They are also sticky and retentive, which makes them genuinely cavity-causing.
However, frequent intake of fruit also contributes. So do bread, pasta, rice, chips, raisins and berries, whether processed or not.
Frequency beats sugar type
Frequency plays the crucial role. If a child nibbles throughout the day, even highly nutritious food causes repeated bacterial attack.
Each attack produces acid, which keeps the mouth at a low pH. That acid then breaks down enamel, and a cavity begins to form.
The practical advice
- Watch the frequency of eating, not only the sugar
- Three main meals and two healthy snacks between them
- Guided brushing twice daily
- Mouthwash once daily, if age-appropriate
- Flossing once daily
- Rinse or drink water after any food or drink
So to answer the question directly: sugar and cavities in children are connected, but candies and cookies are not the only enemies. Frequency of eating, improper brushing and lack of flossing matter just as much. See also cavities in young children.
The World Health Organization ranks untreated decay among the most common childhood conditions worldwide.
Book a dietary and cavity check in Dubai
If cavities keep appearing despite brushing, the eating pattern is usually the reason. Call +971 50 682 3462 or book an appointment with Dr. Imneet Madan in Dubai.
