Tooth Decay and Diet in Children Ophir Alalouf

Introduction• In preparation for his career in oral health care, Dr. Ophir

Alalouf earned his DDS at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Ophir Alalouf, now a pediatric dentist, treats young people with tooth decay and other conditions at Kids Teeth, LLC, in Rockville, Maryland.

Though many parents know that brushing and flossing is essential to keeping their children’s teeth healthy, they may be less familiar with the relationship between diet and oral health. Certain foods, for example, exacerbate tooth decay, and these foods include carbohydrates and starches as well as those with high sugar content. Moreover, sticky foods leave residue clinging to the teeth.

Tooth Decay•That residue in turn acts as food for bacteria,

which cause tooth decay by producing acids that harm teeth.

Parents can protect their children’s oral health by emphasizing a balanced diet low in sweets and high in fruits and vegetables. In the event a child is given a sweet or sticky snack, ensure that the child brushes his or her teeth afterward to cleanse them of food particles that may promote tooth decay.