Nutrition and Pediatrics

		Cindy Cunningham, MS, RD/LD Section Editor, Pediatrics Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Nutrition; UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

Nutrition and Dental Caries
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Source: Cindy Cunningham, MS, RD/LD

Dental caries are the most common infectious disease of children 5 to 17 years of age, and they are largely preventable. The caries are formed when carbohydrates react with bacteria and produce acid. Once there is an acidic environment in the mouth, oral bacteria can begin to demineralize the tooth enamel. Proper brushing at least twice a day, flossing, fluoride and tooth sealants help prevent caries, but how and what we eat also helps prevent caries.

For infants and young children –

• Avoid using the bottle or Sippy cup during sleep
• Use only water in the Sippy cup between meals
• Check with your doctor to determine if you local water has sufficient fluoride.

For older children-

• Eat non sugary foods with starchy, sticky, or sugary foods to stimulate saliva and reduce the acid. The non sugary foods are protein foods such as eggs, meat, and fish, most vegetables, fats, and sugarless gum.
• Use dairy foods to help with the remineralization of teeth.
• Have regular mealtimes and snack times and avoid grazing to limit the amount of time the teeth are exposed to an acidic environment.
• Limit foods such as suckers and mints that expose the teeth to acid over a long period of time.
• Limit sodas, sports drinks and juices. Even diet sodas cause an acidic environment in the mouth that can contribute to caries.
• If brushing after a meal is not possible, sugar free gum with xylitol is recommended for children old enough to chew gum.