Sugar does an incredible amount of damage to children’s teeth. Unfortunately, sugar is also found in a number of foods that are specifically marketed towards children and, therefore, is something for which a Carlsbad pediatric dentist must account. Being aware of how much sugar is in certain foods can help you to reduce your child’s sugar intake and improve his oral health in the process.

Where is Sugar Found

The bad news for parents is that sugar is added to nearly everything. This makes it difficult to avoid the consumption of added sugar, since it has become such a common addictive. Things like soft drinks, candy, and cookies are obvious culprits, but you might be surprised to learn how much sugar is added to fruit juice, yogurt, and pie. On the surface, items in this second group seem naturally sweet enough, but that does not stop manufacturers from adding more sugar during their production.

How Much Sugar?

If you ask a Carlsbad pediatric dentist, you will learn that the average child should consume about three teaspoons of added sugar per day. While this might seem like a lot, a can of soda contains about nine teaspoons of added sugar. This means that if your child drinks one can of soda every two days, she is still exceeding her recommended intake. When you combine this with other food items that contain added sugar, it is easy to see why children have so many cavities these days.

What Can You Do?

While you can start cutting added sugar from your child’s diet today, some damage might have already been done to his teeth. Book an appointment with Carlsbad Children’s Dentistry by calling 760-633-1131 to begin the process of reversing this damage and setting your child up for a lifetime of good oral health.