All of us at Westerville Pediatric Dental would like to remind our patients that March is National Nutrition Month. If this serves as notice and not a reminder, we’re happy to let you know this fact about March. We know that the casual observer might find dentistry and nutrition unrelated. It turns out that few things are further from the truth. Nutrition plays a vital role in oral health.
This is especially true for children and their development. What we eat affects every aspect of our bodies, from our heads to toes, which is why it is so important to fill our bodies with nutrients. Eating right is important at all ages, but especially so for young people, where good ingredients can make kids feel healthier and their bodies stronger.
Sugar is one of the biggest enemies when it comes to overall and oral health, and is often pretty available in kids’ lives. Children who consume too much sugar, such as soda, candy, and sticky sweets, can cause children to feel sluggish or sick. It can also lead to an increased risk of diabetes and provides no nutritional value to a growing body.
Those sweets also cause tooth decay and lead to cavities. It’s important to limit the amount of sugar your child consumes by cutting down on sugary drinks or adding water to juice and reducing the number of sweets they eat. Providing fresh fruit or naturally sweet vegetables is a great substitute and offers significant nutritional value. Veggies provide vitamins and minerals that help teeth to stay strong.
As parents, it’s vital for us to teach our children how significant the impacts of healthy eating are and at Westerville Pediatric Dental we want to take every step we can to ensure our patients have strong teeth, healthy gums, and a beautiful smile. If you’ve got questions about how to better direct your kids’ nutrition, feel free to call our office. We’re always happy to help build strong and lasting good habits!
