Here at Williamson Pediatric Dentistry, we are dedicated to educating you about your child’s dental health and diet.
Though many parents worry about their child’s weight, they don’t think twice about what their child’s diet is doing to his or her dental health. Your child needs to have healthy eating habits to ensure that his or her dental health is the best it can be. Just by watching what your child eats, you can decrease the opportunity for dental decay to occur in your child’s mouth.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends avoiding foods and drinks high in sugar or other simple carbohydrates which can be broken down into simple sugars. Simple sugars are broken down and used by the bacteria in our mouths that cause cavities. Frequent intake of simple sugars increases the risk for cavities in our mouths by not letting our mouth escape the acid environment to which they become susceptible. It is not the amount of sugar you ingest at once that causes the problems, but how frequently you take it in. If your child has special dietary needs, you should to talk with us about foods that your child can eat to help with his or her oral health.
Some recommendations for a healthy diet include the following:
- Drinking plenty of water instead of sugary drinks, such as sodas, juices, energy drinks, and sweet tea.
- Avoiding sugary foods and snacks between meals. Some of the most dangerous foods are your sticky, adherent, sugary snacks such as candies, fruit snacks, gummy vitamins, fruit leather, granola bars (because of the honey holding it together), and believe it or not, raisins!
You should teach your child mindful eating–eating a balanced diet full of nutrients from each food group, including whole grains, vegetables, dairy, and protein. Besides eating well, your child needs to make sure to brush his or her teeth at least twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Flossing at least once a day and visiting the dentist at least twice a year will help ensure that your child’s mouth is as healthy as possible. If you have any questions about your child’s dental health and diet, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (615) 614-2424.