Everyone knows candy, soda, and other sugary sweets are some of the main cavity culprits for children. But there are a number of unexpected causes of tooth decay for which many people are unaware. Below we take a look at some of the lesser known causes of cavities and tooth decay in children.
Milk
Milk is a double-edged sword as it relates to tooth health. On the one hand, milk is full of calcium and other minerals that strengthen and repair tooth enamel. On the other hand, milk contains lactose, which is a type of sugar. As the lactose is broken down, it produces acid that can cause tooth decay.
Fruit
Fruit is a healthy and recommended snack for kids. But fruit, particularly citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits and tangerines, contain citric acid that can eat away at enamel and leave teeth vulnerable to cavities.
Bread
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a popular item on a kid’s lunch menu. While bread itself does not contain much sugar, it does contain a lot of starch. When you eat bread, your saliva breaks down the starch into simple sugar that sticks in the crevices of your teeth and exposes them to the produced sugar.
Ice
If you put ice in a kid’s drink, they’ll probably chew it. Chewing on hard substances, on the other hand, can wear away the protective enamel, leaving teeth prone to disease, as well as chips, cracks, and other damage.
Cereal
Cereal is loved by children, but not by their teeth. A lot of cereals marketed toward children are high in sugar, and a child consuming just an average serving per day for a year would consume more than 10 pounds of sugar with some cereals.
Schedule Your Child’s Cavity Treatment in Greenville, NC
Stop tooth decay before it starts by scheduling regular checkups and cleanings for your child. If they do get a cavity, our pediatric dentists can help them get the cavity treatment they need to heal tooth rot and restore their smiles.
Schedule your appointment today and ask our team about other causes of tooth decay and how you can keep your child’s teeth safe from harm.
