Breakfast & tooth decay

Eating breakfast, plenty of fruits and veggies may be as critical as a toothbrush, toothpaste and a dentist.

A new study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association suggests that eating breakfast, plenty of fruits and veggies may be as critical as a toothbrush, toothpaste and a good dentist when it comes to having and retaining a healthy smile.

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According to Health Scout, the study found that children who don't eat breakfast every day have higher levels of tooth decay when compared to those who eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Dr. Jonathan D. Shenkin, co-author of the study, said, "Kids who don't eat breakfast tend to snack more."

Shenkin and his colleagues used data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 1988 to 1994, to investigate the relationship between healthful eating practices and tooth decay in more than 4,000 preschoolers, aged 2 to 5.

The study found that baby teeth were at a greater risk of decay in the children with poor eating habits. The researchers said that dental health education should include encouraging parents to help their children eat better.

Habits such as eating breakfast daily are associated with other healthy habits. Besides snacking less, "kids who eat breakfast tend to drink milk," Shenkin pointed out, and calcium is good for the teeth.

Shenkin also said that cutting down on juice intake is also wise if you want to prevent cavities. More than 10 percent of preschoolers in the United States consume at least 12 fluid ounces of fruit juice a day, the study reported.

According to Dr. Richard Price, a spokesman for the ADA, Good dental health habits must start early. "Once the baby is born, dental health starts. For infants, that means wiping the baby's gum pads once a day with sterile gauze," he said.

Ideally, a baby should have a visit to the dentist when the first tooth erupts, but certainly no later than the first birthday.

"Baby teeth are important. Baby teeth help your child chew food, speak properly and save room for permanent teeth," Price said.