Your children’s eating patterns and food choices affect their risk for tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when plaque in the mouth comes into contact with sugar present in foods and produces acids that attack tooth enamel. After many attacks, the enamel breaks down and a cavity forms.
Most foods we eat contain some form of sugar, but that doesn’t mean your kid has to avoid them entirely. In fact, the opposite is true. Milk contains sugar, yet it is an essential source of calcium, necessary for strong bones and teeth. Fruits and vegetables also contain varying amounts of sugar, but they also provide many important vitamins and minerals. When choosing foods for your family, read food labels and avoid products with added sugars, such as candy, cookies, and other sweets. A balanced diet based on the Food Guide Pyramid will give your child the nutrition needed for healthy teeth and gums.
How to keep your child’s teeth in great condition?
- Limit snack times during the day. When kids do have snacks, offer them nutritious ones that are low in added sugar.
- Don’t put a young child to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice. Just use water, instead.
- Limit juice consumption to 4 to 6 ounces per day for kids ages 1 to 6 and 8 to 12 ounces for kids ages 7 to 18.
- If you live in an area where the water supply is not fluoridated, talk with your child’s dentist about fluoride supplements.
About Johnson Family Dentistry – Orlando, FL
At Johnson Family Dentistry, we are a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long, lasting smiles. We are conveniently located next to Publix Super Market in The Shoppes at Eastwood. Contact us Today at (407) 282-0002. Our Services include the following; Bonding, Crowns & Bridgework, Dental Implants, Fillings, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Oral Cancer Screenings, Periodontal (Gum) Disease Therapy, Porcelain Veneers, Professional Teeth Cleanings, Removable Dentures, Root Canal Treatment, Sealants, Teeth Whitening, TMJ/TMD Treatment, and Tooth Extractions.
