Are Gummy Vitamins Bad for Your Child’s Teeth?

Gummy vitamins first hit the market in the late 1960s and have gained popularity over time. Vitamins were put in a gummy form to make them more appealing to children while still delivering the essential vitamins and minerals needed. These days even some adult vitamins come in gummy form, delivering greater amounts of vitamins and minerals.

While gummy vitamins can provide a number of benefits, there are also a few drawbacks to this method of vitamin delivery. These treats may have dental health disadvantages that you may not have considered.

Disadvantages of Gummy Vitamins

Even if gummy vitamins are good for making sure your child is getting the nutrition he or she needs, this doesn’t counteract the damage these gummies can do to your teeth. These products do contain essential vitamins and minerals, but they also contain potentially harmful ingredients like sugar and glucose syrups. Even the sugar-free kinds are high in citric acid, which can damage your child’s vulnerable tooth enamel.

More than just the ingredients, the consistency of any type of gummy treat has the potential to be damaging to the teeth. Substances will sticky textures more easily stick to the contours and the crevices of your child’s teeth, which can create dental cavities. Other chewable vitamins would be better for your child’s teeth, simply because of the texture of gummy vitamins.

If your child has a healthy and balanced diet, he or she may not even need vitamin supplements. We recommend discussing any vitamin supplements with your child’s pediatrician before offering them. In the event that your child does need vitamins, only turn to the gummy variety as the last resort. This will help keep both your child’s body and teeth healthy and strong!

To make an appointment for your child to have an orthodontic evaluation, please contact Lockett Orthodontics here in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dr. Lockett can help you make sure your child has healthy and properly aligned teeth.