Research suggests that children who eat a diet rich in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may face dental issues, including buck teeth. Foods like chips and sweets, often criticized for their health risks, have long been linked to conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Experts have urged for a reduction in UPFs, which are typically packed with artificial ingredients.
New findings from Spanish researchers show that a diet heavy in UPFs can affect the development of children’s jaws. Dr. Laura Marques Martinez, a pediatric dentistry expert at the Catholic University of Valencia and a co-author of the study, explained that chewing plays an essential role in jaw development. She noted that chewing solid, fibrous foods like fruits and vegetables helps stimulate bone growth, strengthen facial muscles, and improve dental alignment.
In contrast, soft, easy-to-chew UPFs do not provide enough stimulation for the jaw muscles and bones, which can lead to underdeveloped bone structures and increase the risk of misaligned teeth (malocclusion) and even respiratory problems.
The study tracked the eating habits, dental health, and skull shape of 25 children aged three to five. The researchers found that children who ate more soft foods were more likely to have buck teeth and lacked the natural gaps between their teeth that are necessary for larger teeth to emerge later on.
Professor Tim Spector, a leading expert on diet, told The Telegraph that jaw shrinkage has been accelerating over the past 20 years, leading to a rise in orthodontic issues among children. He suggested that the trend is due to a reliance on soft, baby-like foods, which prevent the development of jaw muscles and the proper size of the jaw.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) include products like ready meals, ice cream, and tomato ketchup. These foods often contain artificial additives such as colorings, sweeteners, and preservatives, which extend shelf life but offer little nutritional value. In contrast, processed foods like cured meats, cheese, and fresh bread are made to enhance flavor or extend shelf life without the same reliance on additives.
The UK has the highest consumption of UPFs in Europe, with these foods making up an estimated 57% of the national diet. UPFs are considered a major contributor to obesity, which costs the NHS around £6.5 billion annually in treating weight-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
In addition to the dental concerns, recent data shows that children eating a lot of UPFs may be at risk of early signs of poor heart health and diabetes. A report from the House of Commons Library in September revealed that nearly half (44.6%) of children in the UK have not seen an NHS dentist for over a year, equating to about 5.35 million children. This figure represents an increase of nearly half a million compared to pre-pandemic data.
The NHS recommends that children under 18 have a dental check-up at least once a year, as their teeth can decay more quickly. NHS dental care for children is free, but the sector has been underfunded for years. This has made it difficult for NHS dentists to manage growing patient numbers, leading to long waiting times and many families traveling abroad for dental care. The situation has been described as a “Victorian” system by frustrated patients.
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