5 Valuable Nutrition Tips To Give Your Kid A Healthy Smile
Children are full of life, ready to try almost anything, and have no real concept of age, or the effect that their choices today can have on their future. That’s why children, and even adolescents, tend to do what feels good now, and part of the reason the world has moved toward instant gratification.
But, parents know there are repercussions in life. Making smart choices, such as how to look after your smile, isn’t always easy. The following nutrition tips will help.
1. Visit A Dentist
Visiting a reputable paediatric dentist Sydney may not seem like a nutritional trip but it will help. Firstly, the dentist can detect and correct any cavities early. With as many as 41.7% of children aged 5-10 years having cavities it suddenly is very obvious why dentists are so important.
The dentist can also reinforce your nutritional comments, potentially making them more meaningful to children.
2. Skip The Soda
Soda is full of sugar. Whenever you consume sugar it reacts with the bacteria in your mouth to create acid. This then attacks the enamel on your teeth. Once the enamel has worn away the softer dentin will be exposed and a cavity will start to form.
Soda is full of sugar and will encourage cavities, even the diet version can be harmful as it contains acid. That means it doesn’t need bacteria in your mouth, the diet soda can attack your teeth by itself.
3. Don’t Snack Between Meals
As mentioned, the biggest issue is sugar reacting with bacteria in your mouth. Unfortunately, almost all food has sugar in it. That means, if you snack between meals, you are launching additional attacks on your teeth.
Skip the snacks and eat at regular meal times.
Just remember, although you can brush your teeth after eating, it is recommended to wait 30 minutes. If you don’t you are likely to brush the acid into your enamel, potentially doing more damage.
4. Eat Fruit & Veg
Fruit and vegetables are full of vitamins and other healthy nutrients that your body needs. This will help your child to develop strong teeth and bones, as well as be effective at fighting off infections.
Encourage your child to eat five portions of fruit and veg a day. It’s good for them, good for their teeth, and good for you. That means you can lead by example.
5. Chew Sugarless Gum
Sugarless gum has been shown to help reduce acid attacks in your mouth. This is because chewing releases saliva which dilutes the acid in your mouth and renders it incapable of damaging your teeth.
However, before giving it to your child, make sure they understand that it must be sugar-free and that they don’t swallow it.
In all cases, it is easiest and best to show your child which behaviour is best by doing the same thing yourself. It’s easier than you think and is good for your health, as well as that of your child.
