Many Parents Say Poor Diet Hinders Their Children's Oral Health

A poor diet and too many sweets are the biggest obstacle to their children’s good oral health, said many respondents in the 2009 Delta Dental Children’s Oral Health Survey. A balanced diet helps your child build a healthy body - and that includes strong teeth. It also helps keep little gums in good shape. On the other hand, eating too many sugars and starches can increase your child’s risk of tooth decay.

Here are some tips to help your child make smart food choices:

Serve a variety of healthful foods. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk and dairy products. Also include protein foods, such as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts.

Choose foods with sugar or starch in them wisely. Sugar is found not only in sweets, but also in fruits, some vegetables, most milk products, and many processed foods - even some that don’t taste sweet. Starch is found in breads, crackers, pasta, and many snack foods. The goal is not to cut out all these foods. Instead, aim to choose and use them wisely.

Serve sugary or starchy foods with a meal rather than by themselves. Since more saliva is released during a meal, it helps wash food particles off the teeth. This reduces the chance for cavities.

Limit snack times. When your child does snack, offer him or her nutritious foods. Kid-pleasing examples include cheese, raw veggies, plain yogurt, or a piece of fruit.

Read food labels. Avoid foods and drinks with lots of added sugar, such as soft drinks, candy, and other sweets. Also skip the high-starch, low-nutrition snacks, such as chips.

Beware of sticky foods, such as chewy candy. These foods are not easily washed away by a drink or saliva. As a result, they have high cavity-causing potential.

For more about nutrition’s role in your child’s oral health, see:

Eating Right for Your Dental Health

Tooth-Friendly Foods for Kids

Milk Matters for Your Child's Healthy Mouth

Snack Smart