Acidic sugar-free treats harmful for kids’ dental health
June 22nd, 2010 - 1:02 pm ICT by ANISydney, June 22 (ANI): A consumer group has warned that while sugar-free treats may seem healthy, their acidic nature can damage children’s teeth severely.
“People look at products that have ’sugar-free’ on the label and think they are good for your teeth. What they don’t realise is these products in some cases are just as bad,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Choice’s spokesman, Brad Schmitt, as saying.
Many popular snacks such as Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bars and Golden Circle orange juice were found to be high in both acid and sugar, according to the group’s survey of 85 different processed foods and drinks.
“Kids love their muesli bars and fruit snacks but parents should limit them to be a once-a-week treat,” Schmitt said.
Sugar and acids both act on the enamel of the teeth and cause slow erosion, but sugar is considered much worse since bacteria thrive on it.
Saliva helps ‘re-mineralise’ teeth that have been damaged by sugar and acid.
“That means if you only have exposure now and then the natural balance will work out,” said Neil Hewson, president of the Australian Dental Association. (ANI)
- Energy drinks severely damage tooth enamel: Study - May 02, 2012
- Soon, soundwaves may help find early dental decay - Aug 25, 2009
- High acid levels in juices damaging kid's teeth - May 20, 2012
- Six dental myths demystified - Aug 06, 2010
- Frequency of eating candy raises cavity risk rather than amount - Oct 24, 2010
- Laser ultrasound helps determine dental health - Aug 19, 2009
- How Thanksgiving is a battle for your pearly whites! - Nov 24, 2010
- 'Ignorance takes toll on oral health' (September 12 is World Oral Health Day) - Sep 12, 2012
- Red wine 'prevents tooth decay' - Nov 28, 2009
- 3 steps to rehabilitate teeth suffering from beverage-triggered dental erosion - Jul 18, 2009
- Sports drinks can cause tooth erosion - Apr 04, 2009
- Women putting their health at risk by using DIY teeth-whitening: Scientists - Nov 05, 2010
- For teeth, orange juice worse than whitening agents - Jul 01, 2009
- Save your teeth, stop drinking acidic beverages - Jul 18, 2009
- Good dental hygiene may not stop tooth enamel from decaying - Jan 17, 2010
Tags: acids, australian dental association, bacteria, brad schmitt, consumer group, dental health, enamel, erosion, fruit snacks, hewson, kellogg, morning herald, muesli bars, natural balance, nutri grain bars, orange juice, processed foods, saliva, spokesman, sydney morning herald