The role of nutrition in the development of caries in children is one of the first places. In our time, children consume far less dairy products than a few years ago. Consequently, calcium in the children's body is much less than recommended. In modern times, in children of 3 years of age, multiple tooth decay (temporary) occurs not only from microbes in the oral cavity and pathology of pregnancy, but also as a result of malnutrition of children.
The role of nutrition in the development of caries in children
The appearance of caries is rather insidious, since such a process can begin already from the moment of appearance of the first teeth. Therefore, parents need to show special attention to this problem with the appearance of the first tooth. Often, tooth decay occurs in children, which between the main feeds receive a sweet drink (from a bottle). During these periods, the activity of cariogenic microorganisms increases, and their nutrition is sugar. Breast milk prevents the occurrence of tooth decay in children. It is impossible for parents to give sweet water between feedings, after all it only "on a hand" to such disease as caries.
The role of nutrition is quite high in the prevention of tooth decay. It includes a correct and balanced diet. Food for a child should consist of proteins, minerals, vitamins, fats, carbohydrates. In addition, it is necessary to include in the diet of his offspring products that clean the teeth from soft plaque and leftover food. Increase self-purification of the oral cavity of solid foods. These are various solid fruits and raw vegetables.
Most parents from an early age often spoil their children with confectionery, sweets and other sweets, but such foods are rich in easily digestible carbohydrates. With the use of carbohydrates, bacteria in abundance get sugar, which is split with the formation of acid. This is a "push" to the process of tooth decay or demineralization.
What should be the nutrition of children to reduce the risk of dental caries
Parents need to make a correct diet to reduce the risk of caries. To do this, reduce sugar intake, between meals do not give the child sweets. It is good to use a sugar substitute, instead of a natural one. And also it is not necessary to give to kids sweets which the child is compelled to detain for a long time in an oral cavity.
To prevent caries and for normal growth of the teeth, it is necessary to include foods rich in fluoride, vitamin D, calcium in the baby's diet. If the food is balanced, then these substances in the body will be enough. If the use of foods rich in such trace elements is impossible for some reason, then these substances can be consumed in the form of tablets.
Calcium is simply necessary for children's teeth, as it is a building material for growth, preservation of teeth and for the bones of the jaw. This microelement is found in dairy products in large quantities. But for the assimilation of high-grade calcium, the body needs the presence of vitamin D. The child's body needs 500 to 1000 mg daily.
Vitamin D in children is produced by the body itself, under the influence of sunlight, during daily walks in the fresh air. Also, vitamin D is found in large quantities in fish. This vitamin is dissolved in fats. It is absorbed by the body as part of fat-containing products (cream, yogurt, butter, etc.). In young children, lack of vitamin D leads to a delay in the development of teeth. And this is a good "soil" for the development of caries. For young children, up to 10 μg of vitamin D is needed daily.
Children should be given as much plant fiber as possible (there are plenty of them in fruits and vegetables), since fiber for oral microbes is not available. In addition, a large number of products cause an increase in the formation of saliva. These include acidic fruits and vegetables, cabbage and meat broths. They cause increased production of saliva and cause a strong anticaries action. This is because the saliva simply cleanses the microbes and contains the lysozyme substance, which is antibacterial. To prevent the formation of caries in children, parents should monitor the proper diet of their children.