How Diet Choices Can Influence Early Childhood Cavities

Eating healthy is a MUST for everyone, especially for children. This way of living will be beneficial for every part of the body including the mouth. 

When it comes to our oral health there are many factors that can contribute to it and diet plays a crucial role. When it comes to children they are not in charge of what they eat, so as a parent knowing what and what not to feed them will be very important for the development of their teeth and the health of their gums. 

Furthermore, we will delve into details about the influence that healthy food choices have on children’s teeth, so you make better choices in the future. 

The Importance Of Diet In Children’s Dental Health

Dr Roland Zhuka’s dental clinic wants to emphasize the importance that diet has on your child’s oral health. Everything they eat or drink will directly have an impact on the development of their teeth and the health of the gums. This impact will either be good or bad depending on what they consume. 

Foods and drinks promoted for children are full of sugar and other additives. These are some of the worst things you can feed your child since they produce harmful acids that will erode the teeth’ enamel. 

This will eventually lead to severe damage to the tooth structure and create small holes. We recommend every parent to limit the amount of sugary drinks and foods like sodas and candies which are loved by so many children.

Instead of processed sugar try to feed your child fruits, vegetables and other important nutrients which will be so healthy and not cause any damage. They provide the right vitamins, nutrients and minerals that will keep the jawbone and teeth healthy and protected. One of the most important minerals is calcium which can be found in milk, yogurt, almonds, cheese etc.

Besides maintaining a healthy diet, it is also important to introduce to your child the basics of oral hygiene. Although they don’t have a full set of teeth, it doesn’t mean they should not brush the teeth that have erupted. 

Toothbrushes appropriate for children of every age can be easily found in pharmacies, so to find the right one, just ask your dentist for a recommendation. Just like adults, children should brush their teeth twice daily. Regular dental check-ups are also a must. This way, you will be able to identify problems in their early stages and treat them if necessary.

What we understand by this is that maintaining a healthy diet and oral hygiene will be very important not only for adults but also for children. This way you will promote healthy tooth development and prevent dental issues that can cause a lot of issues in the future. 

The Role Of Sugar In Tooth Decay

Children who are constantly consuming foods and drinks high in processed sugar will definitely deal with tooth decay at some point. Sometimes this level of sugar can be hidden and many parents are not aware, or they just give in to their children’s cravings.

Furthermore, we will explain everything you need to know about children’s dental health and sugar. How will consuming these types of foods affect their teeth, and why are they at a higher risk of developing tooth decay? Let’s delve into more details:

How Often Children Consume Foods And Drinks With Sugar During The Day Matters

As we mentioned the main risk factor of tooth decay will be sugar. Sugar can be found in a variety of foods that children consume such as milk, fruits, candies and processed and prepared foods. However, keep in mind that processed sugar is so much worse than natural sugar found in honey or fruits. 

One important aspect when it comes to sugar is the time when it is consumed. Every time we consume these types of foods and drinks, acid will remain in the mouth for a 20-40 minute period. If these snacks are scheduled the risks will be lower for children compared to those who consume them throughout the day. 

Acidic Foods And Their Impact On Enamel

Another common risk factor for cavities is foods that contain acids. Since acid can be found even in healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits, the secret to enjoying them and preventing damage would be by consuming them in moderation. 

What acid does to the teeth is that it will erode the enamel which is the outer layer of the teeth, which protects them against decay and damage. If your child continues consuming foods and beverages that contain acid their teeth will become more susceptible to cavities and sensitivity. 

Some examples of acidic foods include citrus fruits, tomatoes and berries. As you can see they are not completely unhealthy as they have a lot of benefits for our health. What we recommend to our client is feeding their children these types of food in moderation. It is also recommended to consume them with water so they don’t stick to the enamel creating that hard layer on top.

Another way to lower the impact of acid in the teeth will be combining them with foods low in acid such as cheese and eggs. This will offer some level of protection and will stimulate saliva production. 

Additionally, if you want your child’s teeth to remain healthy, good oral hygiene is a must. This way even if your child consumes acidic foods, the remains will be removed through brushing and flossing. Ask your dentist for any tips related to proper flossing techniques. 

Most foods and beverages that are high in sugar don’t contain any healthy nutrients, vitamins or minerals. We suggest you cut them off completely from your child’s diet. 

Sodas for example are one of the most consumed and loved beverages by children. The contact with the teeth will be direct especially if they don’t use straws. These drinks also contain a lot of sugar which will turn into acid in the mouth which will constantly feed the harmful bacteria that live there. 

This being said, we understand that highly acidic foods will definitely damage the child’s teeth whether they are temporary or permanent. In order to reduce the damage we recommend our patients to create a balanced diet for their children. 

These diets don’t exclude every type of sugar and acid, only the processed ones. If your child is consuming natural sugars and acids in moderation it will be very beneficial as they will fulfill their cravings while also maintaining oral health.  

The Importance Of Hydration And Saliva Production

At Dr. Roland Zhuka’s dental clinic, we advise our patients to pay a lot of attention to their child’s dental health as it should be one of their main priorities. Besides avoiding sugar and acidic foods, oral hydration will also play a very important role.

By oral hydration, we mean normal saliva production which contributes to healthier teeth and gums. This will impact both oral and general health. 

The Role Of Hydration In Dental Health 

Drinking the right amount of water during the day will be one of the best things you can do for your body. Not only will it promote healthy body functions but it will also help you maintain proper oral hygiene.

Here is a short explanation of how this will benefit your child’s oral health:

Stimulates Saliva Production 

Saliva is one of the most important things when it comes to oral health. It will help neutralize acids, remove food particles stuck in the teeth and avoid bacterial overgrowth in the mouth. If saliva levels are not optimal due to dehydration, this will lead to a dry mouth which promotes cavities and gum disease. Dry mouth can be a result of different issues such as the use of medications, not drinking enough water etc. 

Prevents Plaque Buildup 

Water consumption throughout the day helps in washing away carbohydrates and food particles that may cause plaque to develop. If neglected, plaque—a sticky layer of bacteria—can destroy tooth enamel and lead to dental damage.

Strengthens Tooth Enamel 

Sometimes water contains fluoride which is a mineral that plays an important role in strengthening the tooth enamel. This will make them stronger and more resistant to decay and cavities. Discuss fluoride treatments for your children with one of our specialized dentists here at Dr Roland Zhuka’s dental clinic in Albania for an extra layer of protection. 

Tips To Encourage Your Child To Drink Water 

We know that keeping your children hydrated and keeping them away from sugary beverages can be a little difficult, but we are here to help. Take a look at these tips:

• Children will most likely enjoy drinking water if they use their favourite reusable cups with cartoons.
• If possible, avoid every type of sugary beverage for your child. Water is the only thing they should be drinking in order to prevent tooth decay. 
• Try to consume water at the same time as your child to motivate them or create fun challenges. 
• To make the water more enjoyable you can add some slices of fruit. This way they will enjoy the taste and prevent sugar damage.

Suggestions For Choosing Healthy Foods For Kids

If you are looking for ways that promote healthy teeth development and maintenance in children take a look at these recommendations:

Choose Veggies And Fruits

To replace processed foods with “healthy snacks,” have fruits and veggies on hand. Choose fruits and vegetables that are high in water content, such as celery, cucumbers, melons, and pears. Due to their high sugar content, Dr. Roland Zhuka’s medical staff has advised against consuming bananas and raisins for children. Wait for about 20-30 minutes to Clean your teeth after consuming these fruits.

Eat Cheese

Cheese is a great food to include in your child’s diet. Not only is it high in calcium but it will also encourage salivation which is crucial for maintaining good oral health. Additionally, cheese helps wipe acids and sugar from the teeth’ surface. 

Avoid Chewy Or Sticky Foods

Children love to eat candies. These candies are chewy and will stick to the teeth. Since they do not know how to take care of their teeth yet, candy remains will stick in their teeth for a long time and become food for harmful bacteria. 

We know it may be difficult to limit these types of foods, but moderation is the key. If the child consumes candies or cookies, the least you can do is to encourage them to brush their teeth in order to remove residue. 

Snacking On Sweets Instead Of Eating Them With Meals

Instead of serving sweets as snacks, serve them with meals. Serve your child any goodies as dessert immediately following the meal if you plan to offer them any. Saliva production frequently rises around mealtimes, which facilitates food removal from teeth. The liquid that is ingested during meals helps to remove food particles from the teeth.

Limit Snacking

Advise your children to consume a modest quantity of snacks. The frequency of your snacking is more important than the quantity consumed. If there is a period between meals, saliva can remove food particles that bacteria could otherwise consume. 

Frequent eating without brushing right away provides bacteria with ongoing fuel, which encourages the development of plaque and damages teeth. Try to limit your daily snack intake to no more than one or two. After consuming the snack, try to clean your child’s teeth as soon as you can.

Avoid Sweet Treats

Reduce your intake of sugary foods to prevent tooth decay. Mints, hard candies, cough drops, and gum all promote tooth decay because they continuously coat the teeth with sugar. Rather we suggest our patient consume sugar-free or unsweetened foods. 

If your child likes consuming gum, try sugar-free ones or ones with xylitol. This will promote healthy saliva production and minimize damaging oral bacteria. 

Simply and shortly, the best thing to do for your child’s oral and general health is to try and limit sugary and acidic foods and beverages as much as possible. Sugar is the main product that causes tooth decay since it serves as fuel to damaging bacteria that produce acid. 

Acid will eventually erode the enamel which is the protecting layer of the teeth. The only drink that will not damage the teeth will be water and that is the only thing your child should consume on a daily basis. 

Be Careful With Infant Bottles

A bottle of milk, formula, juice, or soda should never be given to a baby right before bed. The best thing to do is to fill your child’s bottle with water just if they require one before bed. 

Water will be much healthier than any juice or soda even if they contain fruits. This is important because they all contain a high amount of sugar, which will remain in their mouth for as long as they are asleep.

In Conclusion

In the end, keeping your child’s teeth healthy is a combination of good oral habits and eating healthy. When it comes to food and drinks try to limit those full of processed sugars and those that contain acids as they both damage the tooth enamel.

Replace them with natural sugars found in honey and fruits and practice moderation. Not only are they delicious but this way you will also benefit from the many vitamins and minerals that they provide. 

Additionally, visiting the dentist as soon as your child’s first teeth erupts is just as important. To prevent, treat, and identify dental issues as early as possible, routine dental examinations and cleanings are a must. 

Are you prepared to protect your child’s smile? Request a dental appointment at Dr Roland Zhuka’s dental clinic right now.