DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS
The amount of bacteria causing caries grows in saliva when sugar containing products are consumed frequently. Therefore it is recommended to get a child accustomed to drink water when thirsty, from the very early age.
A child assimilates the dietary habits of the family. The good basis to a healthy diet is regular meal times and diverse, but healthy snacks and meals. It is the parent's responsibility to educate a child about the healthy life style.
Meal time clock.
Frequent snacking and enjoying sugar or carbohydrates, containing food or drinks lower pH in the mouth for a half an hour. The teeth can endure maximum six meals per day.
Disruption of acidic balance leads to softening the enamel of the tooth.
PICTURE: Cloetta 2017. Herra Hakkaraisen täysksylitolipastilli
XYLITOL
When a child has learned to chew without swallowing, the use of xylitol containing products (for example xylitol pastille) after every meal is recommended, so that acidity in the mouth would decrease.
Xylitol inhibits the activity and growth of the caries causing bacteria.