Nutrition

The healthy eating habits of your child will lead to healthy teeth. The teeth, bones, and soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet, similar to the rest of the body. As a parent, it is important that you establish a healthy feeding pattern when your baby is born.

When teething starts, proper feeding habits, along with good oral hygiene, will prevent cavities from forming.  Infants who are breast-fed receive the best form of nutrition. Although human breast milk does not cause cavities on its own, problems can arise when carbohydrates are introduced to your child’s diet while the child is still nursing.

Baby formula, carbohydrates and sugars cause cavities when at-will feeding occurs continuously during the day or night. Salivary flow, which helps wash away these sugars, is very low during the night. This means that sugars remain on the tooth surfaces for longer times, allowing the bacteria to form harmful acids.

If your toddler has not given up the bottle, be sure that the bottle contains only water at naps and bedtime. Your child should avoid frequent drinking of sugary fruit juices and sweetened beverages. Be aware that most packaged snack foods (chips, cookies, candy) that children eat can lead to cavity formation. The more frequent the snack, the more likely the tooth cavities.

How long food remains in the mouth also plays a role. For example, hard candy and sticky caramels stay in the mouth a long time. The bacteria use these sugars for longer time periods, causing longer acid attacks on tooth enamel. Choose instead nutritious foods such as vegetable sticks, low-fat yogurt and low-fat cheese, which are healthier for the children’s teeth.