Gaby
In Pittsburgh, there once worked Dr. Milton Nicholson—a forward-thinking professor and dentist. He focused primarily on the prevention of dental diseases. We often found ourselves lamenting to each other about the challenges we faced in trying to convince parents that candies, cookies, pastries, and other sweets should be kept away from children for as long as possible.
Of course, it’s impossible to completely shield a child from sweets forever. Little ones grow up, start visiting friends, and walk past candy stores on their way to school. Inevitably, there comes a time when you have to buy them a treat.
What was the source of our concern? Today, it’s clear that sugar is one of the main culprits behind tooth decay. Research has shown that it’s lactic acid, produced during the fermentation of sugary substances, that destroys tooth enamel. The duration of time that the acid is in contact with the teeth is particularly significant; prolonged exposure is the most damaging.
Sweet cookies, buttery bagels, and other hard foods can get stuck between teeth, which is detrimental to dental health. It’s especially harmful when a child is constantly gnawing on something. However, certain hard foods like meat, fresh fruits, and vegetables can help clean the teeth to some extent. It’s also beneficial to drink a glass of water or milk after meals. But ideally, brushing teeth with a toothbrush after every meal and before bedtime is the best practice.
I believe that all modern parents have some understanding of how to care for their children’s teeth. However, many do not pay serious attention to this issue, even though they are quite diligent about other aspects of their children’s health. They promptly call the doctor, ensure their child receives all necessary vaccinations, and remember to give them vitamins. Unfortunately, they often neglect to monitor their children’s dental hygiene.
Perhaps the most likely explanation for this situation is that a strong connection has formed in the minds of most parents between sweets and their love for their children. “You finished your whole lunch, so you can have the biggest piece of cake…” “You behaved well while I was at the store, so you can have a candy…” “Mom is proud of how you acted at the dentist, so we’ll definitely buy ice cream on the way home.”
Even doctors might reward a child with candy for good behavior in their office.
Thus, the perception of sweets as a means of expressing love is often established in childhood and solidifies with age. Young people give boxes of chocolates to their girlfriends on holidays, and women, like children, enjoy indulging in chocolate. When we want to express affection, we use terms like “sweet” or “honey.”
It’s only natural that when young people have their own children, they find it difficult to break away from these ingrained habits. They express their desire to show affection, respect, and love for another person in the same way—by offering sweets.
People constantly hear from doctors or read about the harmful effects of sweets on teeth, yet for most, these warnings remain just words, unable to shake the long-standing beliefs.
In other words, my colleagues and I face significant challenges when trying to curb the flow of sweets that mothers feed their children. We feel like hunters attempting to stop a herd of elephants with nothing but a flimsy rifle.
From the earliest age, it’s healthier to offer children baked or fresh fruits for dessert. We recommend keeping children unaware of the existence of candies, pastries, and cookies for as long as possible. If they do discover them, treats should be given sparingly, and it’s best not to keep sweets at home regularly.
We advise purchasing confectionery items only on very rare occasions.
Once again, I emphasize that the foods beneficial for teeth are fruits, vegetables, and fruit or vegetable juices.
