General health and oral health go hand in hand. A balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, protein, grains, beans and dairy gives children the nutrients they need for healthy gums, strong bones and protection against illness.
How diet affects teeth
Almost every snack contains some kind of sugar, including many fruit snacks. Bacteria feed on the sugar left on teeth and produce acid that erodes enamel. Over time this leads to tooth decay, and eventually can damage gums and bone and cause teeth to loosen early (childhood gum disease). Checkups and cleanings help, but healthy eating at home is just as important.
Simple changes that help
- Choose healthier snacks like carrot sticks, reduced-fat yogurt and cottage cheese.
- Avoid constant snacking, even on healthy food. Frequent snacks keep teeth under constant acid attack.
- Pick “fast” treats. Mints and hard candies linger in the mouth. If you give candy, choose sugar-free or something eaten quickly.
- Serve starchy foods with meals. Pretzels, chips and PB&J break down into sugar. With a meal there’s more saliva, and water (not soda) helps rinse teeth.
- Skip sticky foods, which are very hard to brush off, especially for impatient little brushers.
We’re happy to offer diet advice, and may recommend a fluoride supplement if your water isn’t fluoridated.