Did you know that eating biscuits, cookies or crackers can be more damaging to our little one’s dental health than candies?
Growing up, we’ve probably been taught by our parents and grandparents that eating sweets is bad for our teeth. So our sweets intake are rationed and we probably do the same with our little ones.
However, letting our children snack on crackers, cereals and similar food stuff can be far worse. Simply because we probably don’t think of them as cavity-promotion foods like candies.
You see, these supposedly healthy snacks that we offer our children are refined carbohydrates, and therein lies the unseen problem…
Carbohydrates And Dental Health
It’s undeniable that carbohydrates are an important part of a balanced diet. However, consuming too much refined carbohydrates will also cause tooth erosion and decay.
When we eat foods that contain refined carbohydrates (bread, biscuits, rice, noodles, cakes, pastries), they do the same thing as sugary candies in our mouth. The starch present in them will immediately break down and start to ferment in the mouth within several minutes.
This causes a breeding ground for bacteria. These bacterium thrives on carbohydrates, subsequently causing an acidic environment in the mouth. This acidity is dangerous to the teeth enamel and can erode the teeth. This is the start of the tooth decay process.
This happens more frequently with refined carbohydrates that we eat than other foods. So, what can we do? What shall we feed our children? Here are some suggestions.
Ways To Help Fight Tooth Decay
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Rinsing After Food
After eating sugary foods and refined carbohydrates, rinse the mouth a few times to get rid of food particles that stick around. This helps to stop the majority of the food particles from fermenting on the teeth.
Brushing teeth immediately after eating is not recommended. This is because brushing immediately after eating can gouge tiny food particles into the enamel. According to Ask The Dentist, we should wait about 30 to 45 minutes after a carbohydrate-rich meal before brushing.
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Eat The Right Carbohydrates
We cannot eliminate carbohydrates from our diet, but we can choose wisely what kind of carbohydrates to consume. Limit the intake of refined carbohydrates and eat more complex carbohydrates in the form of fruits, vegetables, and natural sweeteners.
We may not be able to avoid 100% of refined carbohydrates at all times. What we can do is to avoid snacking on them throughout the day. Instead, eat them at one go and rinsing the mouth may be a better way to limit constant bacteria growth.
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Consume Enough Calcium
Foods like cheese, milk, soy milk, and plain yogurt contain calcium, phosphates and vitamin D that are important components for the health of our teeth. Our teeth are made mostly of calcium, and without sufficient amount of it, we risk tooth decay and other dental problems.
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Eat Fibre-Rich Fruits And Vegetables
Fibre stimulates our saliva flow which is a natural defence against cavities. It helps to wash away food particles and also neutralise the acids that attack our teeth. Crisp fruits and vegetables are recommended, like apples, carrots and celeries.
When eating citrus fruits and other acidic foods, avoid keeping them in the mouth for a long period of time. They add to the acidity of the mouth.
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Substitute Sugary Beverages With Whole Fruits
Instead of offering our children store-bought juices and other sweetened drinks, opt for home squeezed fresh fruit juices.
Even better is to eat whole fruits, as they contain fibre and are less concentrated in sugar content.
Good Dental Health Starts From Young
Most people are terrified of having to see the dentist when it comes to solving problems of dental health. I’m sure children are even more afraid. It can be so intimidating sitting on a dentist’s chair and being examined or having a procedure performed.
Let’s help our children maintain healthy oral hygiene so that they will have good dental health. Start them as young as possible to have good oral habits.
Make them brush their teeth with proper toothbrushes and toothpaste. Help them floss their teeth too and when they are big enough, let them do so by themselves.
Offer them the right kind of foods to strengthen their teeth and avoid those that cause plague and subsequently tooth decays.
Also, we should show them by example by looking after our own dental health as well. Let us all flash our biggest and sweetest smiles and show off those brilliant teeth!