Dentist and Skin Care Blog from Boston's Area Leading Dental Office

Convincing children to eat foods that are good for their bodies—including their teeth—is not an easy task, especially when some kids crave junk food that are heavily promoted at stores and on TV commercials. As the holiday dessert season rolls back around, trying to get kids to eat sensibly may be even more challenging—but not impossible. It may not be practical to eliminate sweet treats completely, so here are a few ways to encourage your children to make healthier food choices:

• Give milk or water instead of sweet beverages. Sipping on fruit juices, sodas and sport drinks leaves a sugary film on teeth and contributes to cavities.
• Pack their lunch bags with cheese. Cheese provides calcium to help strengthen teeth.  It also stimulates saliva production, which washes away food particles and neutralizes acid.
• Restrict sugary and starchy snacks that increase the chance of tooth decay.  This includes cereal, crackers, chips, and snack bars. Also avoid chewy or sticky foods, like peanut butter—they provide a constant breeding ground for bacteria.
• Serve sweet treats at mealtime. Eating sugary foods during regular meals can reduce the risk of decay. Consuming more food creates more saliva which helps clear the mouth of debris.
• Limit the number of snacks.  The more snacks you give your child, the more opportunities bacteria have to attack teeth. Instead of offering processed foods, let them munch on fresh fruits and vegetables that are packed with nutrients.

A balanced diet is just one way to help your child build strong teeth. A good oral hygiene can keep tooth decay at bay for life. Remind your child to brush twice a day and keep regular dental visits.  Trust Dr. Damian Meola and his team of experts at Boston’s leading dental office, Smile and Skin, for all of your child’s dental needs—from the first cleaning to tooth repair to orthodontics.  Call today to schedule an appointment.