Contents:
- Medical Video: 9 Signs You’re Eating Too Much Sugar
- What causes tooth decay (caries) in children?
- Then, what can you do to protect children's dental health?
- Prevent toothache children by providing alternatives to snacks that are healthier than candy (but just as good)
Medical Video: 9 Signs You’re Eating Too Much Sugar
Already know it's not good for health, but candy, chocolate, and all kinds of sugary foods seem to be inseparable from the grasp of the child. Though research shows that foods that are high in sugar do not only increase the risk of a child's toothache, but also experience dental caries - aka tooth decay.
What causes tooth decay (caries) in children?
Sweet foods that stick to the teeth, such as dried fruits, and lollipop, can cause caries. This is because sugar is a form of carbohydrate, the main food source of bacteria that causes dental plaque. Eating sugar-rich foods more than 4 times a day is believed to increase the risk of tooth decay.
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth eat away the remaining sugar from food that sticks to the teeth, so that bacteria can multiply and produce acid-forming plaques. It is this acid waste that gradually erodes the tooth enamel and causes teeth to rot.
The more you consume less sugar, the bacteria will produce less acid. The more often you eat snacks with sugar, the more often you improve the lives of bacteria that cause children to get toothache.
Then, what can you do to protect children's dental health?
- If possible, consume foods that are rich in sugar compared to other foods that are healthier than just being eaten.
- Additional sweeteners, fruit juices and honey have more damaging effects on children's teeth compared to foods with natural sugars, such as dairy products, fruits and vegetables.
- Ideally, brush your child's teeth after eating sweet foods, but this is not practical. However, you can supervise the consumption of food with sugar and give water after the child consumes sugar to help rinse the remaining sugar sticking to the child's teeth.
- Consumption of dairy products. Snacks containing protein (especially from dairy products) are believed to be less damaging to teeth than snacks with sugar, so give protein to your child's diet. Dental health is also influenced by calcium, which is found in milk and milk products.
- Teach children to brush their teeth diligently. most toothpastes contain fluoride because this substance is also equally important in preventing tooth decay.
But actually, the main key to preventing toothache (plus experiencing tooth decay) is to avoid consuming sweets between meals. Candy and lollipop are part of a child's childhood so you don't have to forbid them at all, but pay attention to the portion and time of consumption.
Prevent toothache children by providing alternatives to snacks that are healthier than candy (but just as good)
Here are some snacks that are safe for children's teeth and contain high protein:
- Boiled eggs
- Cheese and crackers
- Milk or yogurt smoothies
- Peanut butter
- Fresh fruits
- Milk
- Canned fruit
- Greek yogurt with a variety of topping pieces of fresh fruit
- Unsweetened fresh fruit and vegetable juices
- Layered bread with spread of peanut butter or stuffed sliced smoked meat and cheese
- Homemade popcorn
- Corn chips
In addition, the flow of saliva is also important in preventing the accumulation of plaque that causes children to get toothache by helping neutralize the acid from bacteria in the mouth. Nuts, whole grains, and raw vegetables are believed to increase saliva production, thus incorporating these foods into children's snacks can help.
