Does Diet Effect Your Child's Teeth?

Teeth are necessary for chewing (or mastication) - the processes by which we tear, cut, and grind food in preparation for swallowing. Chewing allows enzymes and lubricants released in the mouth to further digest food. Teeth help you speak clearly. Many letters of the alphabet cannot be sounded without the help of teeth. Clean, healthy teeth help keep the rest of your body healthy, too. A sparkling smile always helps you look and feel your best. Humans are diphyodont, meaning that they develop two sets of teeth. Kids start to lose their primary teeth, or baby teeth, at about 6 years old. This begins a phase of permanent tooth development that lasts over the next 15 years, as the jaw steadily grows into its adult form. Be sure your child brushes after meal and floss. If they can't brush right after eating, encourage them to drink a glass of water to rinse the food particles.

Primary teeth may need repair. It may not seem necessary to place a filling in a primary tooth because the tooth eventually will fall out and be replaced by a permanent tooth. Nevertheless, primary teeth are important, not just for looks, but for chewing food and allowing speech to develop normally. The primary teeth also help guide the permanent teeth into position. Tooth decay is an infection, so if a primary tooth is decaying, the child has an infection that could affect his or her general health.

A primary tooth can be restored with a filling or a crown, depending on how much of the tooth's structure is still healthy. Compared with permanent teeth, primary teeth are more likely to need a crown if they are decayed extensively because primary teeth are smaller and have thinner layers of enamel (the outer surface) and dentin (the layer beneath enamel). Large fillings in primary teeth don't last as long as crowns. Placing a filling in a primary tooth will not make it less likely to fall out when it is time for the permanent tooth to come in.

Halloween is near. Children of all ages look forward to the treats they'll receive more than the tricks they play. Many of the treats will be candy or other sweets. Nearly one in six children in the U.S. is overweight, leading the American Academy of Pediatrics to declare that childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels. The AAP recently weighed in on the problem in a published statement that calls on parents to emphasize "healthful choices rather than restrictive eating patterns." Parents can positively influence their young children's eating habits by making sure healthy food choices, such as fruits and vegetable, are readily available. Bypassing the cookies and sugary sodas and stocking up on apples, grapes, and other good-for-you foods. Limiting how much kids eat seems to increase the chances that some kids will become overweight, researchers from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia say.

Be sure the child has a balanced diet. A variety of foods contain one or more types of sugar, and all types of sugars can promote dental decay. Fruits, a few vegetables and most milk products have at least one type of sugar. Should my child give up all foods with sugar or starch? Positively not! Many provide nutrients your child needs. You simply need to select and serve them wisely. Good sources of carbohydrates include: whole-grain cereals, brown rice, whole-grain breads, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy.

Milk and other calcium-rich foods have always been a must-have in kids' diets. After all, calcium is a key building block for strong, healthy bones. Consider that many kids now drink more soda than milk, which is one of the best sources of calcium. Teens that smoke or drink soda, caffeinated beverages, or alcohol may get even less calcium because those substances interfere with the way the body absorbs and uses calcium.

Besides milk, good sources of calcium include dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, chickpeas, and calcium-fortified products, including orange juice, soy and rice drinks, and cereals. This includes calcium-enriched vegan products and other soy-based or rice-based frozen desserts, sorbets, puddings, and ice pops.

Other ideas for balanced diet: For breakfast, add fresh fruit or unsweetened apple butter to cottage cheese. For dessert or an afternoon snack: Serve low-fat or fat-free frozen yogurt topped with fruit. Create parfaits with layers of plain yogurt, fruit, and whole-grain cereal. Serve nondairy foods that still pack a calcium bonus: Add white beans to favorite soups. Top salads with chickpeas or cereals with slivered almonds. Serve chili with red beans and cheese. Pour a tall glass of calcium-fortified juice for breakfast. Serve more dark green leafy vegetables (such as broccoli, kale, collard greens, or bok choy) with meals.