I have always been an avid hockey player, and my love took a bad turn one day when I got struck in the mouth with the puck. It was a painful moment that left me with two teeth knocked out of my mouth. Had I taken the right steps after the accident, I could have possibly saved the teeth, but I did not know I had that option at the time. Thankfully, I worked up the courage to visit a dentist and ask what my options for teeth-replacement were. I was worried I would would have to live the rest of my life without smiling, but I was ecstatic to learn that I was the perfect candidate for dental implants. I created this blog to help others realize that there are so many options to replace missing teeth today that no one has to "just live with" an imperfect smile!
The meals your kids have in school have a big influence on their dental health. Therefore, if your kids carry lunch to school, it is up to you to ensure they carry healthy foods that won't cause unnecessary dental complications. Since you won't be in school to ensure your child maintains a high-degree of dental hygiene, you should do your part by observing the following four measures:
Limit Sticky Food
Sticky or gooey foods are dangerous because they aren't easy to wash away. Examples of sticky foods to avoid include dried fruits (such as raisins) and caramel. Your kids might not have adequate time, the resources or even the motivation to brush thoroughly after lunch. The sticky foods will stay on their teeth for a long time, giving the oral bacteria enough time to work on the food and cause plaque, which leads to teeth decay.
Limit Crunchy Foods
It's not just sticky foods that stick on teeth, crunchy foods, such as potato chips, belong to this category too. Bits of these foods get trapped between teeth and feed the ever-present oral bacteria. Moreover, many crunchy foods are filled with starch, which is broken down into which oral bacteria love to feed on. It's advisable to floss after eating such foods, so make sure your kids can floss in school before packing for them such foods.
Balance the Meals
The teeth may look hard and tough, but they also need proper nourishment to remain healthy and strong. This means you need to include vegetables, fruits, grains, calcium-rich foods (such as milk), and protein-rich foods.
Each nutrient has a specific role to play in dental health. For example, phosphorus is useful for developing good teeth structure, calcium encourages teeth remineralization, and vitamin C is necessary for maintaining the integrity of the periodontal ligament.
Encourage Water
Lastly, you need to encourage your child to stick to water and avoid sugary drinks. Even if your child is active in sports, it's still important to avoid energy drinks since they are packed with lots of sugar and acids. The sugars feed the bacteria, and the acids erode the teeth enamel. Giving your child a balanced diet will provide them with all the energy they need, and they can drink water if they feel thirsty during sports.
In addition to the tips above, it also helps to pack a travel toothbrush for your kids. The school administrator can let you know if the kids have time to brush their teeth at school. Talk to a family dentist, such as Chris T. Thomas, DDS, about further measures for helping your school-going children maintain their healthy teeth.
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24 March 2017
