Gummy vitamins, rotten teeth?

Gummy-style vitamins are helping kids munch down their daily supplements without a grimace, but some pediatric dentists worry that the candy look-alikes and taste-alikes could be harmful to little teeth. The sugar combined with the gooey texture could add up to increased cavities, says Mary Hayes, a spokeswoman for the American Dental Association and a pediatric dentist in private practice in Chicago.

So far, no research has been published evaluating whether gummy vitamins are any worse for the teeth than chalky chewables in healthy children. But, many experts agree, plenty of evidence in the medical literature links sticky foods and cavities, and parents with little ones who chew gummy vitamins need to be extra vigilant about their tooth care. Dentist's suggest offering them with meals. A bad time to give one is right after they brush in the morning, or an even worse scenario is at night before bed, after they've already brushed.

Bonnie - these products vary in sugar content. Hero Yummi Bears, for instance, has very little sweetener. Even so, I always recommend taking them after a meal and then to brush your teeth. Many children will not swallow a vitamin or do not like the taste of a chewable with an allowed alternative sweetener such as xylitol or lo han. It is a much better option than Flintstones (loaded with sweetener) or multis with splenda, aspartame, or saccharin.