Often underestimated, good childhood nutritional habits are imperative in deciding the health and wellbeing of your child. Good eating patterns and food choices don’t suddenly appear – they are gradually developed. The mouth is the doorway to the rest of the body. And upkeeping a good nutritional habit and oral health are linked.
Whether it’s the growth, skeletal development, weight, or energy level that you are concerned about – it all begins with what is being consumed. Ultimately, food choices and habits also affect oral health.
A balanced diet loaded with sufficient nutrients is not only required for good health but good oral health as well.
GENERAL TIPS FOR A HEALTHY DIET AND A HEALTHY MOUTH
- Sugars are quite destructive when consumed in large quantities. The whole world knows this, still many include foods and beverages in their daily diet overloaded with unhealthy sugars. Limit the intake of products with excessive sugars and starches. These can cause tooth decay by attacking the protective layer of enamel on the teeth.
- Fruits and vegetables are absolutely critical and should never be skipped. They are integral to a balanced diet. Whole grains, proteins, and dairy products should also be added for the whole range. If you get your child in the habit of eating these essentials as part of their daily meal, their life will be so much healthier and easier.
- Snacks should not have sugars. Many edibles such as milk and some fruits contain a lot of sugar and are predominantly taken as snacks. If you are also doing this then stop. Such items should go in a meal and not as snacks.
- Speaking of snacks, limit your child’s snacking to only a few per day, and make sure they’re nutritious!
- Fun foods and snacks should always be limited. These include candy and snacks loaded with starches. Fun foods only on special occasions and snacks only a few a day.
- Brushing twice a day and flossing help eliminate the food debris in teeth and gums. This debris leads to plaque, bacterial growth, and ultimately, tooth decay and cavities.
- Chewing sugar-free gum (when the child is old enough) is also a good oral hygiene hack. Pick one with the ADA seal. Gums are really good at thoroughly cleaning the whole mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum will also improve the flow of saliva, which also helps wash away food debris and neutralize the acidic medium that bacteria might produce.
