Even sugar-free soft drinks erode children's teeth
Dr Chu Chun-hung, a clinical associate professor in community and family dentistry at the University of Hong Kong's (HKU) faculty of dentistry, recalls the case of a young boy who drank only soft drinks. The boy had such severe dental erosion that his two front teeth required root canal therapy due to the irreversible damage.
Chu says the boy was unaware that soft drinks, even those that are sugar-free, are acidic and therefore erode the structure of teeth. Added to that, the patient had used anti-hypersensitivity toothpaste that masked symptoms of erosion, such as sensitive teeth, and as a result worsened the condition.
Although this is an extreme case, a recent study by Chu and colleagues found dental erosion to be a common occurrence among primary school children in Hong Kong.
The study, published in , found that among 600 12-year-old students surveyed across seven primary schools, 75 per cent displayed early signs of dental erosion, which the researchers linked to fruit juice consumption.
About one-fifth of the students had experienced tooth decay, and about half the decay was left untreated.
High consumption of soft drinks, vitamin C supplements - which tend to have a high acid content - and being a girl were found to be positively associated with the presence of dental cavities.
Questionnaires completed by the students' parents showed that 20 per cent of the children drank soft drinks or fruit juices, and about 14 per cent drank vitamin C drinks at least once every two days.
Surveys by the Health Department and HKU have shown no improvement in oral health in Hong Kong children over the past decade. According to dental surgeon Dr Raymond Lee Kwong-wah of Pacific Dental Care, an increased prevalence of bulimia and alcoholism among children, in which frequent vomiting exposes teeth to stomach acids, is also causing early tooth decay.
For healthy teeth, children should have a balanced diet. Sticky sweets, soda and sports drinks should be limited.
While vitamin C is an essential nutrient for good health, the supplement form tends to be acidic and high in sugar. Chewable vitamin C supplements are particularly detrimental, as they stay in the mouth and teeth areas longer.
Dentists recommend using those that come in sachets and can be consumed with a straw, thereby bypassing the teeth. But the best option is to get vitamin C naturally through the diet.
New permanent teeth of children have immature enamel, which is more susceptible to acid attack by soft drinks.
Parents should take their children for regular dental check-ups as soon as their first tooth erupts. Dentists can show children a programme of brushing, flossing, and other treatments, which parents can then supervise at home.
