Diets & Toothbrushing for Children
Optimal Diets for Infants
Healthy nutrition for
kids starts early. In accordance with the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) guidelines, breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months of life has
been shown to have many beneficial effects for children. The AAP recommendation is for continued
breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced for 1 yr or longer as
mutually desired by mother and infant. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/129/3/e827.full#content-block
Optimal Diets for Preschoolers and Beyond
It’s
important to help establish good eating habits early for kids. Eating a variety of foods from the five major
food groups is a great way to ensure optimal nutrition:
1) Fruits
2) Vegetables
3) Grains, breads, cereals
4) Milk, cheese, yogurt
5) Meat, poultry, fish and/or alternatives such as beans, peas, and nuts
Oral
hygiene starts as early as a child is born.
Even before teeth are present, it is beneficial to wipe a child’s gums
with a wet washcloth after every feeding.
As teeth erupt it is best to switch to a soft bristle toothbrush. Brushing or wiping a child’s teeth before
naps and bedtime is especially important.
Parents
will likely need to assist children with brushing and flossing till children
are 6+ years old. One approach is to
allow children the opportunity to brush their teeth first. A parent can then do a thorough follow-up
brushing. Establishing brushing habits
early can lead to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Using
an appropriate child-sized toothbrush can improve toothbrushing success. There are many toothbrush colors and styles available. As the old dental adage goes, “the best
toothbrush is the one that will be used” J
When
assisting children with brushing, it may be beneficial to stand behind the
child. Optimal brushing technique
removes the tooth film (plaque) from inner, outer, and chewing surfaces of
teeth. Brushing the tongue can also be
used to improve a child’s breath.
The next blog will
discuss flossing and fluoride. Please contact our office with any
questions and for your free infant dental kit. We are located in
Bloomington near the College Mall, next to Goodwill.
-Dr. Matt
Matthew L.
Rasche DDS, MSD
Certified, American
Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Southern Indiana
Pediatric Dentistry
(812) 333-KIDS (5437)
