Parm SAYS!
Does my child’s diet affect their dental health?
Yes! It is very important to have a balanced and healthy diet for a child during their developing years, not only for the teeth but as well as for their overall health. A balanced diet will naturally supply all the nutrients needed to promote healthy gum tissue and teeth and body's development. It is crucial to know that a diet consisting of certain carbohydrates such as sugars and starches may place your child at extra risk for tooth decay. A balanced diet should include food from the four major food groups every day, such as vegetables and fruits, grains, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, meat, fish, nuts, lentils, and eggs.
An easy way to get all the nutrients that body needs is to consume foods following the Canadian Food Health Guide. Some foods with starch include pasta, breads, crackers, cookies and such snacks as pretzels and potato chips. There are some natural sugars that can also be found in Fruits, a few vegetables and most milk products have at least one type of sugar. These natural sugars are a lot better than the refined sugars but in moderation.
To avoid the promotion of cavities, it is best to have sugar or starchy foods with a meal, and not as a snack. Sticky foods, such as peanut butter, dried fruit or toffee, are not easily washed away from the teeth by saliva, or fluids. The foods that are not rapidly cleared from the mouth have more potential to cause cavities. It is important to check the frequencies of these sticky/sugar/starchy foods. Too much consumption of these varieties will aid in the progression of cavities. So choose and select wisely when making choices for snacks and meals. It is best to discuss with your Dentist about selecting and serving foods that protect your child's mouth.
Does my child’s diet affect their dental health?
Yes! It is very important to have a balanced and healthy diet for a child during their developing years, not only for the teeth but as well as for their overall health. A balanced diet will naturally supply all the nutrients needed to promote healthy gum tissue and teeth and body's development. It is crucial to know that a diet consisting of certain carbohydrates such as sugars and starches may place your child at extra risk for tooth decay. A balanced diet should include food from the four major food groups every day, such as vegetables and fruits, grains, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, meat, fish, nuts, lentils, and eggs.An easy way to get all the nutrients that body needs is to consume foods following the Canadian Food Health Guide. Some foods with starch include pasta, breads, crackers, cookies and such snacks as pretzels and potato chips. There are some natural sugars that can also be found in Fruits, a few vegetables and most milk products have at least one type of sugar. These natural sugars are a lot better than the refined sugars but in moderation.
To avoid the promotion of cavities, it is best to have sugar or starchy foods with a meal, and not as a snack. Sticky foods, such as peanut butter, dried fruit or toffee, are not easily washed away from the teeth by saliva, or fluids. The foods that are not rapidly cleared from the mouth have more potential to cause cavities. It is important to check the frequencies of these sticky/sugar/starchy foods. Too much consumption of these varieties will aid in the progression of cavities. So choose and select wisely when making choices for snacks and meals. It is best to discuss with your Dentist about selecting and serving foods that protect your child's mouth.
Blog by Parm RDH
