Most pediatric dentists encourage parents to limit the amount of sugar their children consume. However, when you’ve spent your entire life hearing family dentistry specialists tell you sugar is bad for your teeth, you might want to know why it’s harmful. The information below should help you better understand the damage sugar can do if it’s consumed frequently or in large quantities.

How Does Sugar Eat Away at Enamel?

When you eat anything sweet, sugar gets left behind on your teeth. Brushing and flossing regularly gets rid of most of it, but, if you ate something with sugar early in the day and didn’t get around to brushing until later that night, it has had several hours to sit on your teeth.

Unfortunately, sugar attracts bacteria that generates harmful acids. These acids eat away at your dental enamel, the protective tissue that’s supposed to guard against infection. If left untreated, your teeth will develop cavities, in which bacteria enters a hole created by the acids and begins to infect them.

How Do You Prevent Cavities?

Ask your pediatric dentist what you can do to limit the damage sugar does to your child’s teeth. While you should attempt to keep them away from sugary foods as often as possible, you can’t completely eliminate it from their diet.

It’s important to make sure they’re brushing and flossing regularly. Always buy American Dental Association-approved toothpaste with fluoride, as it’s been shown to strengthen dental enamel. If your child likes to have snacks during the day, consider giving them a pack of sugarless gum as well. Chewing on sugarless gum after eating sweets stimulates the production of saliva, which can rinse away much of the sugar leftover from food.

To help prevent cavities from damaging your teeth, schedule regular cleanings with your child’s pediatric dentist. By coordinating with professionals, you’ll protect their teeth for years to come. If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in east Honolulu, HI, contact Aina Haina Dental Group. They don’t just offer thorough treatment, but they’re also happy to answer any questions you might have about protecting your child’s teeth. Visit them online for more information on their general dentistry services, or call (808) 373-2184 to schedule an appointment.