The Role of Diet in Your Child’s Oral Health

It’s easy to only think about your child’s teeth and overall oral health when it comes time for toothbrushing. However, their diet is significant in their overall health, including in the mouth. Getting your child to eat better might pose a challenge, but it’s worth taking on for a lifelong smile. Teach your child to reach for tooth-healthy snacks instead of the less healthy choices they may love, and you’ll soon notice a difference each time they drop in for a dentist’s visit here at Ponte Vedra Family Dentistry.

Foods and Drinks That Can Negatively Affect Oral Health

Unfortunately, many of the snacks and drinks kids gravitate towards also risk hurting their teeth and gums. Even when they’re based on fruits and vegetables, Sugary foods encourage bacterial growth, leading to cavities and gum disease. Foods that are sticky and chewy, such as caramel, are the worst because the sugar can linger far longer than non-sticky foods. Some snacks are low in sugar but pose a textural risk to your child’s teeth instead. For example, unpopped popcorn kernels or hard candies are often chewed by curious kids who don’t realize they could chip a tooth.

As for drinks, most drinks marketed towards children contain a lot of added or natural sugar. Sugar from a soft drink or fruit juice is just as damaging to your child’s oral health as the sweetness from a cake. Even drinks that don’t taste very sweet, like some milk drinks for children, often contain hidden amounts of sugar. Aside from sugar, most flavored drinks also contain acidic ingredients to preserve and enhance the flavor. Even mild acids like citric acid from lemon juice weaken the surface of your child’s teeth and make them more susceptible to cavities. Plain whole milk and unflavored water are the best drinks for your child, even if they prefer sodas and sweet fruit juices.

Foods and Drinks That Can Positively Affect Oral Health

It can seem like almost every food your child wants runs the risk of damaging their teeth. Plenty of healthy snacks and foods to enjoy that boost oral health rather than just having a neutral effect on this part of the body. For example, whole milk without added sugar supplies the calcium and nutrients your child needs to keep their teeth strong and healthy. Plain water rinses the teeth and gums to remove sugary residues and acids. Raw vegetables like celery and carrots clean the teeth and stimulate the gums while adding no sugar to stimulate bacterial growth. Don’t forget low-fat dairy foods like yogurt and cheese, especially if you can find options with little to no added sugar.

How to Discuss Diet Concerns with Your Child

You’re not likely to teach your child to avoid all sugary and acidic foods altogether, no matter how hard you work at the job. Instead of triggering tears or tantrums, aim to limit sugar intake over time and make compromises when necessary. If your child is going to enjoy some candy or a piece of cake after dinner, ensure they rinse their mouth when they’re done and supervise their brushing to ensure it’s thorough. Swap those sugary snacks for less sugary ones, even if they’re not entirely free of sweeteners. Instead of celebrating every occasion with sugar or acidic lemonade, consider making a family tradition of choosing healthier alternatives for the teeth so your child associates fun times with good habits.

Tips on Sticking to a Tooth-Healthy Diet

• Start as early as possible in your child’s life. It’s never too late to improve their diet and oral health, but it’s often easier to start while they learn about solid foods.

• Don’t try to ban all sugar and tooth-threatening snacks all at once. Determine which sweet snacks are causing the most significant issues and focus on them first.

• Remember that teaching your child to rinse and brush after sticky and sugary treats is better than assuming they’ll never indulge in sugar as they grow up.