Advice from a Paediatric Dentist

Hello Parents,

I am a paediatric dentist who has worked exclusively with children for more than 15 years.

Other parents frequently ask me how to prevent their children from developing cavities as well as how to best care for their children's teeth. Although I counsel parents on proper brushing and flossing techniques for cavity prevention, there is another question parents should be asking as well: how to protect their children's teeth from one of the fastest growing dental concerns: acid wear.

Parents don't realize the acids in everyday foods and drinks, even healthy foods like fruits (e.g., oranges, strawberries and bananas), fruit juices (e.g., orange, apple and cranberry juices), and others such as carbonated beverages (e.g., pop and sparkling water) and sauces (e.g., ketchup and tomato sauce), can damage teeth by softening the protective layer of enamel. This makes the enamel more vulnerable to being worn away by toothbrushing.

This process is called acid wear and it is a growing concern among Canadian dentists like me.

Acid wear affects everyone, including children. The condition is especially worrisome among children because their adult teeth come in between the ages of 6-13 years and their teeth need to last a lifetime. Their adult teeth are vulnerable to the effects of acid wear as soon as they start to grow into the mouth.

Acid wear can only be seen and diagnosed by a dentist. Some of the early tell-tale signs can include slight tooth discolouration, translucency, a change in tooth shape, or the beginning of small dents and cracks. Worst of all, since enamel is the protective armour for our teeth, once it's gone - it's gone forever! With the progression of acid wear also comes an increased risk of serious dental conditions, for example, severe tooth sensitivity.

And it's not just what kids are eating that may affect their teeth; it's how they are eating. Simple steps like these below will help kids get a head start on strengthening the teeth that will stay with them as they grow.

• Encourage children to swallow acidic drinks immediately rather than swishing them around their mouths. It is also beneficial to drink an acidic beverage in one sitting, rather than sipping it throughout the day.
• Instead of sucking on acidic snacks like sour candies, or even healthy ones such as orange wedges, encourage children to swallow food once they have finished properly chewing.
• To help prevent acid wear, consider avoiding brushing right after eating, when the enamel is soft. It is best to brush teeth 30 minutes to an hour after a meal. Try to follow acidic meals with a glass of water or milk to help neutralize the acid.
• Brush twice a day, every day with ProNamel for Children^®, a daily toothpaste specially formulated in collaboration with dentists to help re-mineralize softened tooth enamel and protect young teeth from acid wear, while also providing the cavity protection children need.
• Take children for regular dental check-ups and follow your dental professional's advice.

If you would like to learn more about the effects of acid wear in children, or are curious to find out if you or your children may be experiencing it, take a look through the useful resources on this website. You can test your child's diet to see if they are at risk, print out a helpful brochure, and learn the top tips to prevent acid wear.

Remember, a smile should last a lifetime!