Gummies are a very common sight in everyday life. They commonly contain either vitamins, supplements, or THC. While they do have health benefits, they also have the potential to harm our oral health. Therefore, it is important to know about the potential harm, and to learn about alternatives that are available.
Seeing gummy treats has become incredibly common in the modern day. These gummies typically contain either vitamins, supplements, or THC.
Packaging for these gummies typically advertise a range of health benefits – including increased energy or gut health. They are very popular among multiple age groups.
While most assume these gummies are healthy, this isn’t necessarily always the case. In fact, gummies do actually have the potential to pose a threat to our oral health.
What are gummies?
Gummies are found in a range of places – grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and many other areas. Many use them on a regular basis.
Research suggests that the global gummy market size is worth almost $25 billion, with the market expected to reach around $30 billion by 2030 [1].
The gummies that are being discussed involve small, sweet-like chews. These gummies usually contain vitamins, some form of supplement, or THC – which is the active ingredient in marijuana.
However, the gummies will often take the form of a sugary sweet. So instead of being swallowed straight away – like a traditional tablet or capsule – they are chewed. Therefore, this causes problems.
There are some positive elements to such gummies. For example, gummies can contribute to vitamin intake, provide nutritious value, increase concentration, decrease tiredness, and provide other benefits.
What are the oral health problems caused by gummies?
But while gummies offer physical – and sometimes mental – health benefits, this can come at the cost of negatively impacting our oral health.
One of the major problems is that many gummies are high in sugar. Sugar is broken down by bacteria in our mouth, which produces acid.
When this happens, teeth become decayed, resulting in cavities forming. This is when dental fillings need to take place, which can be a difficult procedure to undergo.
Moreover, the damage extends to the gums. Because gummies are typically sticky in nature, sticky residuals can remain around the gums. Again, this will result in acid being produced near the gums.
Anything that is chewy – like a gummy – has the potential to dislodge or loosen a filling. This can cause significant pain, and result in further dental procedures being needed.
Gummies often appeal to children due to their sweet-like nature. But as teeth are still developing during childhood, it is important for unhealthy gummies to be avoided in this age group.
Having a nutritious diet should mean that gummies aren’t needed. But if this isn’t possible – then having non-sugary gummies can help.
In cases where children do have gummies with sugar in them, then they should be taken with or after a meal, rather than as a snack.
What are the alternatives?
It is normal to want to maximize nutrition and vitamin intake. Moreover, taking supplements to boost energy and other functions is understandable. However, there are healthier alternatives to consider.
For example, using vitamins that you swallow with water, rather than chewing, will not contain sugar, and will not cause any issues in your mouth.
Furthermore, some vitamins are dissolvable, and don’t contain sugar. Usually, they will use plant-based sweeteners instead of sugar. They can turn into a tasty drink that provides nutritional benefits without adding to sugar intake.
Of course, having a diet high in vitamin consumption and strong nutrition is the best approach. This would mean gummies would not be needed.
In cases where sugary gummies are taken, rinsing with mouthwash afterwards, and chewing gum to stimulate saliva production, can be helpful to lessen acidic damage.
Speaking to a primary care physician and a dentist is advisable. They will be able to provide advice on gummy use, and detail any potential problems they may cause.
Summary
Overall, gummies definitely have the potential to be beneficial. It is important to look after our health, and supplements and vitamins definitely have a role to play in this.
But there are ways of using gummies in a way that does not compromise our oral health. When using the alternative approaches discussed above, this provides benefits to our physical health, without damaging oral health.
Aside from the above, remembering to brush your teeth and floss regularly is crucial. This can aid your oral health, whilst promoting strong physical health.
Thinking points…
[1] Do you take any form of gummies, vitamins or supplements? If so, this article is very relevant to you. If you are concerned about what you take, you could discuss this with your dentist at your next check-up. You could also share this article with any friends or family members who consume gummies. Why not educate them by sharing the article now?
[2] It is normal to want to maximize our health by taking extra vitamins and supplements. But it is important to remember that strong oral health promotes positive overall health. One of the ways of boosting your oral health is to attend regular dental check-ups. These allow a dentist to take a look at your oral health, provide advice, and suggest treatment if needed. We recommend that you book a check-up now!
What we offer at Taradale Dental
Taradale Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At our Calgary dental clinic, we provide a range of services for our patients.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.
We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca/!
References
[1] Grand View Research. (2024). Gummy Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Vitamins, Minerals, Dietary Fibers), By Ingredient (Gelatin, Plant-Based Gelatin Substitutes), By End-use (Adults, Kids), By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 – 2030. Available: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/gummy-market-report. Last accessed: 2nd August 2024.
