The right nutrition for healthy teeth

introduction

Tooth development begins even before birth. The teeth develop from a tooth strip. First, the tooth crown is created and when it is fully developed, root growth begins. The hard tooth substance is already formed during the embryonic development. Therefore, the mother should already have enough at this stage Calcium so that the need for calcium is not met from the bones. A sufficient intake of minerals and vitamins by the mother is necessary for the healthy development of the child during pregnancy. This also benefits the teeth that are already being developed.

Read more about the Diet in Pregnancy

Baby and toddler age

  • After birth up to 6 months of age the baby does not have teeth yet, so milk is the only food it can eat. Breast milk is the most natural and best supply for the toddler because it is all they need Nutrients, such as Minerals and Vitamins, and is at the ideal temperature. Most important, however, is that antibodies against infections that are still missing in the newborn are also transmitted with breast milk. If breast milk is not available, the industry offers milk powder that is adapted to the ingredients of breast milk, but without antibodies. The correct shape of the teat on the bottle supports the formation of the jaw
  • From the 6th month break the first Milk teeth through, and the child now receives porridge food and, above all, a supply of Vitamin D, a vitamin essential for the development of bones and teeth. The Vitamins A and vitamin C also play an important role for the oral mucosa and gums and should be included in the diet. When taking Vitamin D however, care should be taken to select the correct dose to avoid overdosing. The correct supply of the small child with the vitamins A., C. and D. should therefore be done by the pediatrician. The hardening of the Enamel also depends on the intake of fluoride from. The administration of fluoride tablets ensures the accumulation of fluoride on the Bloodways already during tooth development before the breakthrough into the Oral cavity. The dosage of fluoride tablets depends on the age of the child. The following values ​​can be used as a guideline:
  1. 1 - 2 years 0.25 milligrams
  2. 2-4 years 0.50 milligrams
  3. 4 - 6 years 0.75 milligrams
  4. from 7 years 1.00 milligrams

If the dosage is too high, the teeth that have not yet erupted can be damaged. They show up in brownish discoloration. They are an aesthetic problem and not reversible. Are the teeth If it has broken through into the oral cavity, the tooth enamel can no longer be damaged by fluoride.

Older children and adults

The greatest enemy for tooth health is sugar. Sugar can be broken down by the bacteria in the plaque into acids, which attack the tooth enamel and thus to it Caries to lead. Sugar is a Carbohydrate and present in many foods. Hidden sugar is mostly in Bakery products and drinks contain. Honey also contains a lot of sugar and is also sticky and therefore easily adheres to the teeth. Instead of sweet fruit juices, fresh fruit should be enjoyed. Like uncooked vegetables, this has the side effect that it stimulates chewing and thus, due to the harder particles, causes a certain cleaning of the teeth and stimulates the chewing organ. At the same time, the saliva secretion is increased, which also leads to Cleaning teeth contributes. For acidic fruit juices such as grapefruit or orange juice, however, you should use the Brush teeth Wait ½ hour because the acid will slightly roughen the enamel. The saliva smoothes the enamel again during this time. Also read our topic dental care

The desire for sweets is a natural need of children. It's very difficult to stop it. Nevertheless, children should be educated about the dangers associated with ingesting sweet foods. Kindergartens have a rewarding task here. Above all, sweets should be avoided with snacks. Consumption of chocolate and sweets should not be spread over a longer period of time, but shortly afterwards Brush teeth.

A balanced diet not only benefits the entire organism, but also maintains healthy teeth. It should contain the basic nutrients protein, fat and carbohydrates in the right proportions. Vitamins and minerals should also be contained in sufficient quantities. As far as possible, raw foods should be given preference over soft-boiled foods. The sugar consumption should be kept within limits, which is especially beneficial for the teeth.
Read also under: This is how healthy eating works

Summary

The nutrition is essential for the maintenance of the organism. In relation to the teeth, however, certain rules should be observed. In addition to the supply of Vitamins, especially Vitamin D, Minerals as well as the basic substances protein, fat and carbohydrates, special attention should be paid to the sugar content in food. In the oral cavity, sugar can be converted into aggressive acids by bacteria that attack tooth enamel. The consumption of sugary foods should therefore be restricted. Fluoride tablets for children before and after changing teeth help the development of Caries in childhood already to counteract.