articles

Nutrition and Oral Health

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

By Dr. Grace Yum, sponsored February 26, 2015
February is National Children’s Dental Health month and we’re happy to have Dr. Grace Yum of Yummy Dental presenting a series of articles about children’s dental health throughout the month!

Many people don’t realize that there is a major connection between what you eat and your overall dental health. In the 15th century many sailors developed scurvy while on long voyages and they found that eating citrus often solved the problem. Vitamin C has a direct effect on the collagen in the mouth and helps prevent mouth sores. These days mouth sores are still common and can be helped by having enough vitamin C whether in tablet form or eating fruits and vegetables with vitamin C.

Another mineral that is found in milk and dairy products is calcium. Calcium is not only important in growing healthy strong bones, but healthy teeth as well! Did you know that the enamel on your teeth is stronger than the bones in your body?! Therefore, encouraging milk drinking and dairy products can help keep you and your kids’ teeth healthy!
 
Food that are not healthy for your teeth are those that are sugary and sticky which can cause tooth decay. The sugar allows plaque bacteria to form a biofilm on teeth that releases acid and therefore breaks down enamel, causing tooth decay. Sugar comes in obvious forms such as candy and other baked goods. But it can come in hidden forms such as organic fruit juices, fruit pouches, dried fruit (raisins). The Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends only 4 ounces of juice per day. 
 
Being mindful of what you eat will help keep your mouth and teeth healthy!  Remember, an apple a day keeps the doctor and dentist away!

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