Sipping, Snacking and Tooth Decay
Our kids are consuming foods and drinks high in sugar and starches more often and in larger portions than ever before. Unfortunately, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks can ruin your kids’ teeth, especially when they snack throughout the day.
Since February is Children’s Dental Health Month, it’s the perfect time to consider how to keep your kids’ teeth in the best shape they can be. That’s not always easy because common activities can lead to tooth decay. These include grazing on foods with minimal nutritional value and sipping on sugary drinks. When sugar is consumed repeatedly in large amounts, it gets on teeth and provides food for bacteria. This produce acid, which eats away the enamel on teeth. Most foods have some type of sugar that’s necessary to your kids’ diets because they contain important nutrients and just plain taste good. But there’s a risk for tooth decay from a diet high in sugars and starches. Starches are in everything from bread to salad dressing, so read labels and plan carefully for a balanced, nutritious diet for your family.
Reduce your children’s risk of tooth decay:
Make sure sugary foods and drinks are consumed with meals. More saliva is produced during meals, which helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.
Limit between-meal snacks. If your kids crave a snack, offer nutritious foods.
If your kids chew gum, make sure it’s sugarless. Doing this after eating increases saliva, which helps wash out food and decay-producing acid.
Monitor your kids’ beverage consumption. Children should make such healthy beverage choices, such as water.
Help your children develop good brushing and flossing habits.
Schedule regular dental visits.
At Right Care Dental, we want to help you maintain your children’s dental health. Click to schedule an appointment today.
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