Will Gummy Vitamins Harm Your Teeth?
Dr. B. Kanagasabapathy
[M.D.S. (Ortho), Fellow ICOI]
The multivitamin, calcium, and iron gummies seem an excellent way to feed children the nutrients they are missing. Many parents consider it as a nutritional supplement similar to milk powder, and pills. As getting vitamins through tasty gels instead of consuming bitter herbs appear a wise deal, even adults also prefer the gummy bear vitamins nowadays.
The gummy treat is specially formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of kids and teens. Likewise, it helps kids in their growth, immunity also. On the flip side, the gummies are hard on the teeth.
How do gummy vitamin supplements affect your teeth?
As mentioned earlier, the gummy supplements are “specially formulated”, the manufacturers add flavoring agents to make the gummies tasty. Those constituents erode the enamel while you procure the nutrients and enjoy other benefits of multivitamin gummies.
1) Vitamin gummies have more sugar
The multivitamin gummies are loaded with a high amount of sugar when compared to other vitamin supplements. Besides sugar, sucrose syrups are also found in some gummies. Even sugar-free vitamin gummies are available, they contain ingredients that produce citric acid.
It is a well-known fact that sugar feeds bacteria so that the microbes thrive in our mouths causing cavities. On the other hand, constant exposure to acidic compounds tends to enamel wear down.
2) Gummy Vitamins stick to the teeth
Besides sugary substances, the vitamin gums contain gelatin compounds so that they adhere to the teeth enamel until you brush. The sweeteners in the gum continue to release, collaborate the oral bacteria and turn into acids that weaken the teeth.
In simply, if you do not clean your mouth effectively after consuming these gummies, you will develop cavities.
What should you do to avoid these oral complications?
Even though the gummy vitamins increase the risk of cavities, it does not mean you should avoid neglecting them. You can overcome their negative effects on teeth with efficient oral hygiene activities. We recommend the following tips to our patients who are keen on taking gummy vitamins:
- Drink a cup of water after eating the gums.
- Brush your teeth 30 to 60 minutes after eating the gummy vitamins.
These tactics will help you to mitigate the gummies’ damaging effects on teeth and prevent them from softening the enamel, causing cavities.
Bottom line
The gummy vitamins contain less amount of nutritional compounds when compared to other vitamin supplements. Meanwhile, the introduction of sugar and gelatin substances found in traditional candies makes it less effective. They tend to damage the teeth enamel. Hence it is better to limit the consumption of gummy vitamins and brush your teeth shortly after eating them.
If you want nutrient supplements that are dental-friendly and have a pleasant taste, contact our dental doctors.
