Sweet Tooth?

If you find yourself craving sweets every day, it’s likely you were ingesting sugary foods during your earliest years.  Evidence has shown that foods a child is given when teeth are first erupting are likely to affect his or her dietary choices for years to come.  High-sugar cereals and sweetened juices for toddlers may turn into a diet of soda and candy later on, according to some researchers.

Once a child begins to eat solid food, he or she begins to form dietary habits that could affect his or her dental health later in life.  Teeth that are frequently exposed to sugar may also be subjected to an abundance of bacteria which excrete acids that lead to decay.  Baby teeth do not have the hardened enamel of second teeth and lack protection against acids, making them more susceptible to decay.

To avoid decay in first teeth and help a child develop good eating habits, be careful to give a child only plain water to drink, except at mealtimes.  Never put a child down for a nap or at bedtime with a bottle containing anything but water.  Limit juice consumption, and don’t douse a pacifier with juice or other sweet substances.

Children who need to take medication often suffer more tooth decay, so if your child must take liquid medication, be sure he or she rinses with water and then brushes gently afterward.

Minimizing your child’s exposure to sugar-laden foods early in life could mean a healthier mouth and diet for a lifetime.  Choose what you feed your baby wisely.  After all, his or her smile could depend on it.