Nutrition and Dental Health of Children: Know the Link

Eating healthily should be a priority for all age groups. Children need nutritional and healthy food to keep their body, mind and teeth free from problems.

It is observed that too many carbohydrates, sugars and savory foods are available to children nowadays which when consumed in large quantities lead to tooth decay.

Products such as cake, cookies, candies, fruit juice, chips all lead to poor dental health on overconsumption.
It is a proactive solution to make sure children’s teeth last till adulthood by regulating their nutrition. Teeth grow twice in our lifetime and the permanent set starts appearing from 6 years onwards.

A two-way relationship lies amongst dental health and nutrition, this is observed by the fact the type of nutrition affects the tissues in the mouth and the health of these tissues affect the nutrients consumed.

Measures to care for and maintain healthy oral & dental health are –

1- Usage of fruits as snacks – Fruits with high sugar content like mangoes, watermelons, apples, pears, and bananas are all perfect substitutes for sugary items. The cravings of children should be satisfied regardless of what the sweet product looks like. Fruits unlike processed are simpler to brush off the teeth and chances for tooth decay are minimized. Apples and pears are acidic and help clean the teeth while they are being eaten.

2- Sugar-laden treats should be given only as dessert – Dessert eaten after a meal is generally sweet. Hence for children who crave sweets, they can have it after a meal where there is ample saliva in the mouth to prevent sticky substances inside the mouth. It is also customary to brush after a meal.

3- Milk and milk products – Milk is highly nutritious and so are its derived products such as cheese, yogurt, and butter. But the products which are processed should be consumed in controlled quantities. Milk is an important source of calcium which is essential in the growth of teeth.

4- Consumptions of drinks – Most juices and sodas are sugar-laden and sodas, in particular, have carbonic acid. These substances corrode the enamel of teeth and form carries.

5- Brushing habits – For good gum health and most importantly teeth, it is necessary to brush as often as possible. This is even more so if you are regularly eating sweet things. Toothpaste should be fluoride-based and the gaps between teeth should be flossed.

6- Nutrition that builds the perfect white teeth – Food items contain carbohydrates even if they don’t feel sweet and as such is the best for dental health. Fibre-filled vegetables and fruits, green leafy vegetables with beans, fish, and eggs are food items that boost good dental growth.

Footnote

The intake of food is responsible for the growth & development of all structures in our mouth and these structures are responsible for the proper uptake of food.
This arises the need to make sure the diet is balanced and appropriate for the health of the individual.