Healthy Teeth Start with the Shopping Basket: The Importance of Nutrition for Children's Oral Health
At Veemarkt Dental Clinic, we know that a bright, healthy smile lasts a lifetime. And while proper brushing and regular checkups are crucial, one factor plays an equally important role: your child's nutrition.
What children eat and drink has a direct and long-term impact on the health and development of their teeth. As a parent, you can significantly reduce the risk of cavities (caries) with conscious food choices.
The Big Culprits: Sugars and Acids
The biggest enemies of healthy children's teeth are sugars and acids.
Sugars Feed the Bad Bacteria:
Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars from food and drinks into acid. This acid attacks tooth enamel and eventually causes cavities. This includes not only candy and cookies, but also "hidden" sugars in such foods as:
- Fruit juices and soft drinks.
- Flavored yogurt.
- Ready-made sauces and meals.
Acids Dissolve the Enamel:
- Acidic products, such as fruit (juice), soft drinks and sports drinks, cause tooth erosion. They directly dissolve tooth enamel, making teeth vulnerable. Note: This is not just about what children eat, but more importantly how often they eat and drink.
The Crucial Rule of Thumb: A Maximum of 7 Eating or Drinking Moments
The frequency with which your child eats or drinks something is critical. The mouth needs time to recover after an "acid attack. We call this recovery acid balance.
Our recommendation, in line with the advice of the Nutrition Center and the KNMT, is:
- Three main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
- A maximum of four snacks (including drinks with sugar or acid).
- Try to limit the intake of sugary or acidic products to these seven times as much as possible.
Healthy Choices for Strong Teeth
So what foods do contribute to strong teeth?
- Water, Tea and Milk: These are the most tooth-friendly beverages. Preferably give your child water or unsweetened tea between meals.
- Fresh, Hard Vegetables: A carrot, cucumber or celery stimulates saliva production. Saliva is the mouth's natural protector: it neutralizes acids and washes away food particles.
- Dairy products: Cheese, milk and yogurt (with no added sugars) contain calcium and phosphate, which help strengthen tooth enamel.
What You Can Do Today
- Avoid "Sip-and-Snack": Constantly taking small sips of soda or a bite of candy all the time is disastrous. This keeps the acidity in the mouth constantly high.
- Brushing with Fluoride: In addition to nutrition, brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day is essential for additional enamel protection.
- Ask us! During the checkup, we are happy to give you personalized advice on your child's nutrition and dental condition. By working together on good nutritional habits and oral hygiene, we lay the foundation for a lifetime of oral health for your child.
Do you have questions about your child's oral health or want advice on the most tooth-friendly snacks? If so, feel free to contact us!