Nutrition and teeth
December 22nd, 2011
Dental Health and Nutrition for Children
Diane Hanan, DDS, LLC
Choosing nutritious food is important for a strong body, a sound mind, and healthy teeth and gums. It is important to educate your children early about healthy food choices and proper dental hygiene. Parents should play a role as educators in this area and keep their pantries and refrigerators stocked with good food to make it easy for their children to make healthy choices. In some cases, this may mean changing your own habits; both in the kitchen and in the bathroom. Children look for their parents as roll models and will follow their parents’ habits.
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It is normal for bacteria to be present in our mouths. When we eat, the bacteria break down the saliva and food particles and forms a thin coating on the teeth called plaque. This plaque is loaded with bacteria which will adhere to the teeth and to the margin of the gums. The bacteria secrete acids which will cause redness, swelling and tenderness of the gums. If the plaque is not removed daily, the acids will eat away the bone which houses the teeth, cause tooth decay and result in permanent spotting of the enamel. The best way to reduce plaque is by brushing, flossing, and rinsing regularly.
I advise the children in my practice to brush in the morning after breakfast, when they come home from school after their snack, and before bedtime after their last snack. Flossing should be done at least once a day when there is more time and it is less hectic. In my house this is usually in the evening when there is more time and we are not rushing to get out the door. Rinsing with water throughout the day is beneficial. It is nearly impossible to get a child to rinse in the middle of the day at school, however, you can teach them to swish after a snack at school with their drinking water and then swallow. It is a great way to loosen and eliminate the debris that bacteria thrive on.
Certain foods provide a better environment for the bacteria to thrive, so healthy food choices are also important in plaque control. Bacteria love carbohydrates! Simple carbohydrates are easier for the bacteria to break down and thus should be limited. Simple carbohydrates such as sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are in many processed and refined foods we feed to our families. Not only do these foods create more plaque, they create wider swings in blood sugar levels, do not sustain energy levels, cause food cravings, and eventually lead to weight gain and illness.
In contrast, complex carbohydrates are high-fiber foods which are more difficult for oral bacteria to break into plaque, sustain sugar levels in the blood, aid in digestion and satisfy
cravings and reduce overeating.
Common simple carbohydrates are found in candy, soda, chips, crackers, cereals, baked goods and pasta made with white flour (cakes, cookies, bagels, pancakes, waffles, white rice, etc.). Complex carbohydrates are found in fruits, vegetables, beans, brown rice, grains, muesli, and dairy products.
The rule of thumb I use in my house is to buy as little prepared and processed foods as possible. You should buy “ingredients” and make meals at home. Since it is impossible to avoid packaged and prepared foods entirely, always look at labels of packaged foods and buys those made with whole wheat flour, grains and other complex carbohydrates and low sugar content. Avoid preservatives, artificial colors and sweeteners and do not give your children soda or sweetened beverages. Not only is this loaded with sugar and artificial sweeteners and colors, the carbonation robs the body on necessary calcium. There should be no soda in your pantry! If this means you have to stop drinking it, then do so. Your body will thank you! Juice has some nutritional content. I recommend nectars and fresh pressed juices with 100% juice content. Read the labels carefully as many juices are only 10% juice and loaded with fructose. However, juices should be limited to a small glass once a day. Water and milk should be given at all other times.