Most kids love sugary treats, but these foods can lead to tooth decay. The dental care team at Pediatric Dental Group explains how exposure to sugar can increase your child’s risk of cavities. For the past 50 years, the pediatric dentistry group has offered dental exams, teeth cleaning, and orthodontics to Honolulu, HI, children.

When sugar combines with bacteria in the mouth, acids are created. These acids can eat away at tooth enamel, causing cavities. Candy, cake, cookies, and other sweet treats aren’t the only culprits. Any food that contains carbohydrates eventually breaks down into several types of sugars. Whether your child eats a candy bar or a handful of crackers, his or her teeth are bathed in sugar.

Your child’s teeth are constantly exposed to sugar if he or she frequently snacks on sugary or carbohydrate-laden foods throughout the day. It’s a good idea to limit carbohydrates and sugars to meal time and offer healthier snacks, such as vegetables or fruits, during the day. Brushing after every meal and snack helps remove the bacteria-laden plaque that combines with sugar to create acids. Regular visits to Honolulu Pediatric Dentistry Group are also important. During those visits, the dental care team removes plaque from hard-to-reach places and looks for signs of tooth decay.

Some types of food are worse than others. Eating sticky types of candies, such as gummy worms, can increase the risk of cavities. Because these candies are so sticky, it’s hard to remove them from every nook and cranny. They longer they remain on the teeth, the better the chance that they’ll lead to a cavity. Candies that are both sticky and sour are even worse because they contain both sugars and acids.

Protect your child’s teeth by limiting sugary treats and scheduling dental exams with Pediatric Dental Group at (808) 593-8828. Learn more about their services online, or visit the pediatric dentistry group’s Facebook page for more information.