Modern lifestyle poses risk to children’s teeth
Research reveals link between acid erosion and fruit and soft drink consumption
New research from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a global leading oral care expert, have revealed a link between the acid erosion to children’s teeth and modern diet. Acid erosion is one of the 21st century threats to teeth at all ages, a dental condition caused by the increased acidity of our modern diet, causing wear to the tooth enamel.
Today there is generally a greater understanding about lifestyle, health and nutrition. The modern diet is considered healthier than in the past with more low sugar and low fat options, but GSK warns that the food and drink given to children as part of the modern diet is often highly acidic and can irreversibly damage their teeth. There is a trend to alternate fatty consumptions by healthy and nutritious foods and drinks. But acid found in many fruits, fruit juices, ketchup and salad dressings and certain diet or non-diet soft drinks such as fizzy colas, can cause the softening of the teeth’s enamel surface making the enamel prone to wear.
Modern cooking trends can also affect the acidic content of food. Research from the University of Dundee in the United Kingdom found that roasting vegetables such as courgettes, onions and peppers in the oven increased their acidity compared with traditional cooking methods such as stewing and boiling.
According to dentists, consumption of carbonated drinks accounts for 52% of the cases of acid erosion to children’s teeth. Over a third of parents, are unaware that these drinks could pose risk for their children’s teeth and only 28% know that fruit can be harmful.
Professor Jimmy Steele of the school of Dental Sciences at the University of Newcastle advises: “Adult teeth generally start to appear when children are six-years old and need to last a lifetime, so protection from an early stage is key. “
The early signs of children’s acid erosion may include transparency in the front teeth, eroding the pointy edges of the teeth and weakening of the first permanent molar.
“Whilst children should not be discouraged from consuming acidic food and drinks, it is important for parents to be aware of the issue to ensure they take small precautions to minimize the risk to their children’s teeth”.
GSK urges parents to ask their children’s dentist for an acid erosion test as part of general oral care check-up. If acid erosion is left untreated, children may need dental treatment to protect the teeth and the underlying dentine from further damage.
