The habits you establish early on will likely stick with them as they grow into adults and create better dental health for a lifetime.
Ensuring your child’s teeth stay healthy goes beyond brushing and flossing; it starts with what’s on their plate. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, our pediatric dental specialists know that good nutrition is key to building strong, cavity-resistant teeth.
The Five Nutritional Musts
You have undoubtedly heard the phrase, “You are what you eat,” and that is true for everything from your vision to your teeth. Children need to get the nutrients they need to develop strong and healthy teeth. They should also limit eating things that promote tooth decay and can lead to dental cavities. According to pediatric dentists, five essential nutrients are needed for kids to have a beautiful, healthy smile for the future.
- Fruits and vegetables – Try to choose fruits with a low sugar concentration, like melons and pears, and limit those with a lot of acids. Also, pick things like apples that require children to chew. Limit their intake of dried fruits and bananas because they contain a high sugar concentration. If your child does eat them, get them to brush their teeth immediately afterward.
- Calcium – Calcium is very important for building healthy and strong teeth. Encourage milk, cheese, broccoli, and yogurt as snacks to get your child all they need daily.
- Cheese – Cheese triggers the production of saliva. So when you combine it with snacks and meals, it helps to keep teeth rinsed and particle-free.
- Limit sugar, sticky, and starchy foods – Foods that are sticky and sugary adhere to the teeth and can cause chaos. Sugar is one of the biggest contributors to tooth decay. If your child does have foods that are sticky, sweet or contain a lot of starch, make sure to have them brush it away quickly.
- Bedtime bottles – If you give your baby a bottle at bedtime or before you lay them down for a nap, try to use plain water instead of filling it with juice, formula, or even milk. That will prevent sugar from resting on the teeth while they sleep, which can lead to tooth decay.
Other Important Dental Habits
It isn’t just what they eat that is important. Good dental health is also about their habits and care. The habits you establish early on will likely stick with them as they grow into adults and create better dental health for them for a lifetime. Make sure to help them brush their teeth and floss every day. The minute that they have two teeth next to each other, flossing is a good idea. And brushing their teeth when they get up and before bed is imperative for good oral hygiene and dental check-ups.
Also, try to get them to the dentist early. The less intimidating you can make it, the better. Introduce them to dental exams in stages so that they aren’t overwhelmed. It is essential that you get their check-ups done every six months and consider using sealants to prevent those teeth that do the most chewing from developing caries and tooth decay.
It is never too early to work on your child’s dental health. Establishing good habits early on, combined with getting them to eat the right things and develop good oral hygiene, increases the chance of their having excellent oral health forever.
St. Louis Pediatric Dentist
Positivity is Key!!! At a child’s first dental visit, parents play a vital role in making the visit a positive experience by “setting the stage.” Any fear or anxiety presented by the parents will be “picked up” by the child.
Your child’s initial oral examination will include a visual examination, charting, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we work hard to make your child feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere. Depending on your child’s circumstances, we will discuss if sedation or anesthesia is right for your child.