Parent's Role Essential In Teaching Kids Health Habits

Parents have a critical role as teachers for their children learning healthy habits. This particular extends to nutrition. What foods are good? What snacks are healthy? What are Oral Hygiene skills and how to brush their teeth? Not only do parents teach their children through instruction, but even more importantly, as role models. An old adage wrongfully advices to "Do As I Say; Not As I Do". This has never worked well in the past, and still doesn't today.

The foods identified in the article about the How-to's of Healthy Snacking have not all been tested for their decay-causing potential. However, knowledge to date indicates that they are less likely to promote tooth decay than are some of the heavily sugared foods children often eat between meals.

Candy bars aren't the only culprits. Foods such as pizza, breads, and hamburger buns may also contain sugars. Check the label. The new food labels identify sugars and fats on the Nutrition Facts panel on the package. Keep in mind that brown sugar, honey, molasses, and syrups also react with bacteria to produce acids, just as refined table sugar does. These foods also are potentially damaging to teeth.

Your child's meals and snacks should include a variety of foods from the basic food groups, including fruits and vegetables; grains, including breads and cereals; milk and dairy products; and meat, nuts, and seeds. Some snack foods have greater nutritional value than others and will better promote your child's growth and development. However, be aware that even some fresh fruits, if eaten in excess, may promote tooth decay. Children should brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste after snacks and meals. (So should you!)

Please note: These general recommendations may need to be adapted for children on special diets because of diseases or conditions that interfere with normal nutrition.

So where do you currently stand with proper oral hygiene and healthy nutrition? Are changes needed which will not only benefit you, but your child? There's no time like the present to get started and make those changes which will positively impact on the entire family.