Healthy Eating Tips For Young Children

It isn't always easy to get young children to eat healthfully and to try new foods. Attractive processed foods abound in the grocery stores and are endlessly advertised on television, making it difficult to encourage good food choices that can help prevent many health problems such as diabetes and obesity. Follow these tips if you don't know how to get your fussy 2 to 6 year-old kids to eat what's good for them.

Plan your food offerings

• For breakfast, lunch and dinner, make sure to offer foods from at least three of the five major food groups (grains, fruits, vegetables, milk and meat).
• Make sure to offer snacks in between meals with foods from two or more of the food groups, but not too close to mealtime.

Fun and creativity are crucial

• Make meal or snack preparation a fun time to connect with your young children by including them in the decision-making as much as possible. Ask them what they feel like eating and what would be a healthful choice.
• Invent new snacks or sandwiches using healthful ingredients you give them. Discuss what food groups are included and the nutrients they provide their growing bodies.
• Talk about why the snack or meal tastes good. Use words such as juicy, crunchy, colorful, sweet, smooth and chewy.

Patience is a virtue

• Accept that you may need to offer a new food to your 2 to 6 year-old children more than once before they try it. Don't force them to eat it. Just enjoy it yourself and keep offering it when you make it. They may eventually come around to trying it because it is so familiar.
• This one is difficult: don't make eating a stressful event! If your kids are hungry, they will usually eat at least one or two of the foods that are on their plate. However, if they refuse to eat anything when you offer them food, simply put it away and offer it again later when they are perhaps more hungry.

Sweet treats have a place in a healthful diet

• Sugary desserts and treats are good to include in your kids' diet once in awhile, so that they understand that they have their place in a healthful lifestyle. Deprivation is not a good message to send, as it can have negative effects later on, such as binge eating.
• Young children need to learn that food can be healthy and fun to eat. For example, occasionally fruit can be served in a way that is more appealing by adding yogurt or a bit of chocolate sauce or whipped cream. Melon balls are very popular, as are happy faces made out of fruit.

Actions speak louder than words

• Set a good example by eating a variety of healthful foods from all the five food groups yourself.
• Eat meals and snacks with your children as much as possible. This shows them that eating can be an enjoyable time to connect with others.
• Show enthusiasm for what you're eating - it's contagious!

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Dental Health For Your Children

Contrary to popular notion, gingivitis, which is the first stage of periodontal disease affects children and adolescents as much as it does adults. However, children are less prone to have the advanced form of periodontal disease.

Different Types of periodontal diseases in children

Chronic gingivitis: Commonly seen in children, chronic gingivitis causes the gum tissue to turn red and inflamed and to bleed easily. While it can be prevented and treated by regularly brushing, flossing and regular professional dental care, if left untreated it can advance rapidly and result in a form of periodontal disease that is more severe.

Aggressive periodontitis: Affecting otherwise healthy teenagers and young adults localized aggressive periodontitis affects the first molars and incisors. It is typified by severe loss of alveolar bone. There is surprisingly little plaque formation on the teeth.

Generalized aggressive periodontitis: Starting around puberty, generalized aggressive periodontitis involves the entire mouth and is marked by heavy calculus and plaque accumulation and inflammation of the gums. In due course it results in the teeth becoming loose.

Periodontitis associated with systemic disease: Children who have Down Syndrome, Pailoon-Lefevre syndrome or Type I diabetes are more susceptible to periodontal diseases.

Symptoms of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease in children is usually accompanied by one of all of the following symptons:

• Bleeding gums during flossing, brushing or even at other times
• Bright red gums that are also swollen
• Roots of teeth are exposed because of gums that are extremely receded
• Persistent bad breath that does not improve even after brushing and flossing

How to Prevent Periodontitis in Children

Establishing good oral health habits and early diagnosis are essential for successful prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. Promote good oral habits in your child as early as possible. You can start using toothpaste when your child is as young as 12 months. Schedule regular appointments with your dentist for checkups, teeth cleaning and periodontal evaluations. Check your child’s mouth regularly and look for the presence of any symptoms of periodontal disease including bright red and swollen gums, bleeding gums, bad breath and gums that are receding from the teeth.

Work with your child towards improving his poor oral health habits. Being a role model and practicing what you preach will encourage to look after his dental hygiene more than any other strategy you may use.

A word of precaution; an advanced form of periodontal disease may be an early sign of a prevailing systemic disease and would require immediate medical attention. If your child exhibits any of the symptoms of severe and persistent periodontitis that is resistant to therapy, a medical evaluation and medical treatment is a must.

Cavities & your child

Children who eat a lot of sugary foods including cookies, candy or raisins or drink a lot of sweet drinks including sodas or sweetened drinks are at a higher risk of getting cavities. It is important to get children into the habit of gargling after every meal, brushing their teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once daily.

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