Do Gummy Vitamins Hurt Your Teeth?

Posted on 12/21/2020 by Fariba Mutschler

Children's multivitamins contain many important vitamins and minerals that are crucial for your child's health and development. Lots of children (and even some adults) have trouble swallowing pills, so gummy vitamins or chewable tablets are convenient alternatives. Plus, the fact that gummy vitamins taste good means that kids actually want to take them. Unfortunately, the ingredients that make these gummies taste so good are also ingredients that can harm your child's teeth.

Citric Acid and Sugar

Almost all gummy vitamins contain added sugar and citric acid. Citric acid, which is also found in soda and sports drinks, can wear away tooth enamel. Combining citric acid with sugar is extra harmful, as bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and produce more acid in the process. Acid erosion leaves your teeth even more vulnerable to cavities, tooth decay, and infection. Children might be tempted to eat more gummy vitamins than the recommended daily dose since they taste like candy, contributing to oral health problems that could outweigh the nutrition benefits of taking vitamins in the first place.

Alternatives to Gummy Vitamins

The best way your child can get all the vitamins and nutrients they need is by eating a balanced diet containing plenty of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. Vitamins should be treated as supplements to a healthy diet, not replacements for certain foods. But if you rely on multivitamins because your child has allergies or is a picky eater, ask their pediatrician for recommendations on alternatives to gummy vitamins. They might suggest organic gummies that do not contain added sugar, or breaking tablet vitamins in half to build up your child's tolerance for swallowing pills. You could also try only giving your child gummy vitamins once or twice a week and having them take another form of vitamin on the remaining days. Contact our office to learn more about keeping your child's oral health in prime condition.

My daughter was a little nervous to have her dental work done but everyone in the office was super friendly and very reassuring and that helped her nervousness go away. Thanks for the excellent dental experience. ~ Lilyana G.

Get in Touch!

PHONE
(971) 470-0054

Email
portland@greatgrins.net

Request
Appointment

Our Dental Blog | Great Grins Pediatric Dentistry - Portland, OR
Dr. Fariba Mutschler & Dr. Mark Mutschler have created this informative blog to help educate the community. If you like an article or the dental blog in general please use the share it button to post to Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.
Great Grins for KIDS Portland, 13908 SE Stark Street, Ste C, Portland, OR 97233-2161, (971) 470-0054, portlandchildrensdentist.com, 10/2/2024, Page Keywords: pediatric dentist Portland,