Gummy Vitamins and Your Teeth

Gummy vitamins are a popular type of chewable vitamin that have a taste and texture similar to gummy candies. These vitamins can be found in a variety of colors, flavors, and shapes. They often appeal to children and adults who may not like swallowing pills. While gummy vitamins can help supplement a diet lacking in essential vitamins, they do pose certain risks to dental health. The high sugar content and sticky nature can increase a person’s risk of tooth decay, gum inflammation, and other dental diseases. Before making the decision to purchase gummy vitamins, consider the pros and cons for your teeth and overall health.

What are Gummy Vitamins?

Gummy vitamins are similar to other types of vitamins as they deliver safe, pre-portioned doses of essential vitamins. Most gummy vitamins are made with ingredients like gelatin, water, cornstarch, sugar, and added flavors and colors. Some of the most popular flavors of gummy vitamins include orange, lemon, cherry, and raspberry.

Like other vitamins on the market, they contain a variety of essential vitamins or minerals. You can also purchase single vitamin gummies, such as vitamin C or D. Today, gummy vitamins can be found in most stores or purchased online.

Benefits

There are several advantages to taking vitamin gummies, including their improved taste over standard vitamins.

Gummy vitamins can benefit a wide range of people, including picky eaters who don’t eat certain foods, people who have difficulty absorbing nutrients, and people who have increased nutritional needs. This may include groups like older adults, vegans, strict vegetarians, and people with certain health conditions.

Many people prefer gummy vitamins over pills or capsules as they have a candy-like taste and come in fruity flavors. Gummy vitamins are also easy to chew and are a great option for people who dislike or are unable to swallow pills.

Downsides

The appealing taste of gummy vitamins typically comes from added sugars. The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 36 grams of sugar per day for men and 25 grams per day for women. The average gummy vitamin contains 2 to 8 grams of sugar per serving, meaning your gummy intake could account for a good portion of your daily sugar allotment.

Overconsumption of sugar can be detrimental to your smile. When you consume foods and drinks that contain sugar, the natural bacteria in your mouth feeds on these sugars and create acids that attack tooth enamel and form plaque. Plaque can erode the tooth structure and if left untreated, can lead to cavities, gum disease, and possible tooth loss.

Gummy vitamins are also sticky, which means when you or your child eat one, sticky debris is likely left on the teeth. Even with brushing, it can be hard to remove the sticky plaque that develops on and between teeth. Children who are not efficient at brushing may miss some of the sticky debris, causing more acids to be produced that are harmful to teeth.

Should You or Your Child Take Gummy Vitamins?

Due to oral health concerns, many parents wonder if they should give their children gummy vitamins or take them themselves. If you’re able to take traditional vitamins in their pill form, it’s often a healthier choice to choose pills over gummies. However, gummy vitamins can be beneficial for children or adults who cannot take traditional vitamins. Speak with your dentist for additional information.

Schedule A Dental Appointment

Gummy vitamins deliver a healthy dose of beneficial nutrients, are easy to chew and have a desirable taste. However, it’s important to understand the potential oral health risks. To learn more about how gummy vitamins impact oral health or to schedule a visit with our general or pediatric dentist in Clermont, contact Hancock Village Dental at 352-989-5815.