Childhood Tooth Decay from Sugary Lunches

Childhood tooth decay is unfortunately a huge problem. In NSW approximately one-third of children aged 5 to 10 have decay in their baby teeth while one fifth of children aged 6 to 14 already have cavities in their permanent teeth. This problem also affects children who brush their teeth properly because it’s largely due to excess sugar consumption. Children’s packed lunches are particularly concerning, as it’s often easier to pack processed and high sugar items including muesli bars and orange juice. Although these items are often cleverly labelled as being “natural” or “fat-free” they tend to contain high levels of hidden sugars.

When children’s teeth become decayed, it’s often necessary to remove them, which can be upsetting for the child and their parents. By the time teeth are removed, a child will generally have experienced sleepless nights and dental pain. This can affect their general development, making it difficult for them to eat properly and to concentrate at school.

Here at Apple Dental, we prefer to take a preventative approach and if we notice your child has problems with tooth decay, despite a good oral hygiene routine, we can investigate why this is happening. If needed, we can analyse their diet and will offer advice, as to which foods are healthier for teeth.