Dr. Najmeh Ekhali, a pediatric dental specialist in Isfahan and a member of the university faculty, with years of experience in the treatment and prevention of tooth decay in children, clearly answers this question in this article so that you can make an informed decision about your child's nutrition and dental health.
pastille; A sweet combination that challenges the teeth
To answer the question of whether pastille is harmful, we must pay attention to two main factors in its composition and structure: high sugar and sticky properties (gelatin).
1. High sugar: the main fuel of decay-causing bacteria
Like any other sweets, a major part of pastille consists of sugar. The bacteria in the child's mouth consume sugar and produce acid, which is the main cause of tooth enamel dissolution and dental caries.
2. Stickiness: a trap for sugar!
The most important part of pastille that distinguishes it from chocolate or cake is gelatin and its elastic and sticky texture. Gelatin, although it has some protein, but this protein is not nutritionally complete and is insignificant compared to the proteins of meat or milk, and it does not have a miraculous effect on the child's bones.
The main problem here is that the paste easily sticks to the grooves, cavities and between the child's teeth and remains in contact with the tooth surface for a long time. The longer the food sticks to the teeth, the more time bacteria have to produce acid and destroy tooth enamel. This stickiness makes it difficult to clean even with a quick brushing after use.
Dental conclusion: Yes, pastilles are harmful to teeth!
The explicit answer of children's dentistry to this question is positive. Pastils are among the most harmful snacks for children's dental health due to their high sugar composition, possible acidity (some types of pastils taste sour) and high stickiness.
Ethical doctor's golden recommendations for controlled consumption
Complete prohibition of many of the child's favorite foods can cause stubbornness and create a negative relationship with food. As a pediatric dentist, I recommend managing this food intake rather than eliminating it completely:
- It should be the end of the meal, not a snack: If your child is going to eat lozenges, let them immediately after the main meal (lunch or dinner). At this time, the production of saliva in the mouth is high and this saliva helps to wash sugar and acid from the teeth faster.
- Brush your teeth immediately: If possible, brush the child's teeth immediately or drink at least a glass of water and rinse the child's mouth thoroughly with water to remove the stuck particles from between the teeth.
- Reduce the duration of contact: The lozenge should be chewed and swallowed immediately, not held in the mouth for a long time or sucked.
- Prohibited sour forms: Avoid buying sour pastilles or full of granulated sugars, because in addition to sugar, these pastilles contain high acid that directly damages tooth enamel.
The role of periodic dental visits for children
The milk and permanent teeth of growing children need special care. Occasional consumption of pastilles or other sweets, despite maintaining hygiene, can increase the risk of caries.
Periodic visit (every 6 months) to a pediatric dentist in Isfahan is a golden opportunity to:
- Fluoride therapy Do it: Fluoride therapy strengthens tooth enamel and increases its resistance to acid attacks caused by sugar and paste.
- Fissure Sealant Apply: The deep grooves of a child's molars are prone to the accumulation of pastilles and food particles. Fissure sealant fills these grooves and prevents particles from getting stuck.
- Caries should be detected in time: If a small caries has been caused due to the consumption of snacks, it will be repaired and treated in the early stages before reaching the tooth nerve.
A child's oral health is a lifelong commitment. با کنترل مصرف تنقلات چسبنده مانند پاستیل و رعایت چکاپهای دورهای، میتوانیم لبخندی سالم و زیبا برای فرزندانمان به ارمغان بیاوریم.
اگر ساکن اصفهان هستید و در مورد تغذیه فرزندتان یا وضعیت دندانهای او نیاز به مشاوره تخصصی دارید، میتوانید برای معاینه و انجام اقدامات پیشگیرانه با مطب دکتر نجمه اخلاقی تماس بگیرید.
