Tooth enamel, the visible white part of your tooth, is the first line of defence against cavities and plaque. While enamel is the hardest part of your body, it is also prone to a lot of abuse.
Parents want the best for their children, and protecting their teeth should be a priority. Several foods and habits can damage your child’s tooth enamel. Fortunately, there is much you can help your child with, in order to protect and keep the tooth enamel healthy and whiter.
Avoid certain foods and drink more water
Bacteria thrive in the sugar on your teeth. Therefore, they induce the plaque that eventually causes cavities. One of the best ways to help protect your child’s tooth enamel is to limit their intake of sugary foods and drinks.
Our dentist in Stevenage advises parents to be aware, because not all sweet foods are apparent. For instance, rice and bread convert into simple sugars that eventually damage the tooth enamel of your child.
To avoid this, always check on the back of the grocery packaging to know the nutrition content. Also, avoid sugary drinks, such as fruit juice, soda, and sports drinks, because they are notorious for high sugar content.
Drinks and foods with high citric acid content erode the tooth enamel through demineralisation. In situations where demineralisation is severe, the acid finds its way to the dentine. Dentine is the soft layer found beneath the tooth enamel.
Consequently, your child’s teeth can become sensitive, and they experience pain. You should encourage your child to rinse their mouth with water 30 seconds after eating or drinking anything with high citric acid. It helps with cleaning away the lingering acid and protecting the enamel.
Water is an excellent tool that fights against acid erosion. As a dentist in Stevenage we will often recommend children increase their water intake because it doesn’t contain acid, so it protects the enamel.
Water also enhances the production of saliva, which is essential in cleaning teeth and restoring the pH balance in your mouth. Therefore, parents ought to try giving their children more water in place of sugary drinks, so that their teeth enamel remains healthy and robust.
Other positive choices that you can make
Calcium neutralises acids that damage the enamel and re-mineralises the enamel to offer protection. Therefore, as your dentist in Stevenage we advise the incorporation of at least one dairy product to your child’s meals to increase their calcium intake. If your child doesn’t consume dairy, you can give other calcium-enriched drinks and foods, such as canned fish, soybeans, almond milk, kale, and almonds.
It is vital to brush and floss regularly for enamel protection. However, over-brushing is harmful to your teeth. You can consult with our dentist to learn brushing tricks and avoid over-brushing so that you don’t damage the tooth enamel. One of our tips is to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and using short strokes while brushing back and forth.
Come and see us regularly for the examination of your child’s overall oral health. We will evaluate your child’s tooth enamel as part of the regular dental check-up and recommend treatment if necessary.
Our ultimate goal is to maintain your child’s overall oral health in perfect condition and equip you and your child with the knowledge to keep a healthy smile.