How Important Is Diet?

How important is Diet to my child’s Oral Health?

A balanced diet is necessary for your child to develop strong, decay-resistant teeth. As well as a full range of vitamins and minerals, a child’s diet should include plenty of calcium, phosphorous and proper levels of fluoride. If fluoride is your child’s greatest protection against tooth decay, then frequent snacking may be the biggest enemy. The sugars and starches found in many foods like biscuits, sweets, soft drinks and even some savoury snacks are food for bacteria in dental plaque and are converted to acids, which attack the tooth enamel and can lead to cavities.

Each “plaque attack” can last up to 20 minutes after a meal or snack has been finished. Even a little nibble can create plaque acids, so it’s best to limit snacking between meals.