The food balance

Introduction :

Nowadays, snacking has become a way of life, particularly among children. Due to the
attraction of its taste, sugar or foods containing it are ingested in larger quantities and above
all much more frequently. These dietary habits have a great influence on the increase in the
number of carious lesions. It therefore appears essential to modify eating behaviors
regarding sugar in young children. A balanced diet is the guarantee of good health in
general, and that of the oral cavity, in particular.

I- The role of nutrients and diet on the growth and development of teeth and the orofacial
sphere :

Food is one of the elements that contributes to physical and mental development of the
child. It involves two oral functions, sucking then chewing.

If the sucking-swallowing function is acquired immediately, on the other hand, the function
of
chewing-swallowing will gradually “educate” itself through the diversification of foods which
must take place with the appearance of the first teeth. To learn to chew, the child must
chew and crush. It is therefore essential that foods are of varied consistency and texture,
semi-solid from 3 months, then solid.

This muscular solicitation, thus established by an energetic chewing dynamic, contributes to

harmonious maxillo -mandibular development.

A balanced diet, without excess carbohydrates, undoubtedly prevents the appearance of

carious lesions and, consequently, the premature loss of primary teeth. This requires
information and education for children and especially parents to understand and apply strict
food hygiene rules.

1. The nutritional elements which act on the development of the embryo :

Nutrients provided by the mother must be available for the pre-eruptive development of
teeth. Severe damage can result from malnutrition

( excess or deficiency) or infection, especially on the formation of enamel and dentin.

This damage is irreversible, as teeth do not have the same remodeling capacity as
bones. Many nutrients are necessary for good oral development: vitamin C for the
formation of the collagen matrix and calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin D
for mineralization. The formation of keratin in enamel requires vitamin A.
 For the fetus, calcium intake is essential for correct dental mineralization. Thus, once
the dental organs are formed, calcium intake has little effect on the quality and
future of dental tissues.

2. The importance of nutrition during early childhood :

Healthy eating is even more important during childhood than any other age of life. In
fact, during the first 12 months of its life, the newborn will triple its body weight and
grow by more than 50%. Daily requirements per kilogram are greater than for adults
due to this rapid growth.
The formation and development of eating behavior during the first years of life takes
place in two learning periods:
a) Milk food :
 Breast milk : breast milk optimally covers the needs related to growth and
development. The first 4 to 6 months constitute a period of strong
growth, especially on the brain level, and the composition of amino acids
and fatty acids of breast milk is particularly adapted to this situation.
Breast milk also provides anti-infectious and antibacterial agents,
including immunoglobulins, which play an important role in stimulating
the immune system.

 Artificial milk :
Artificial milk, for its part, meets very strict requirements, and it tries to
get as close as possible to the composition of breast milk. Despite this, it is
often accused of being “ sensorially monotonous”.

b) Food diversification :
From 12 months, the child is physically able to consume meals prepared at home
provided that the preparations are adapted to his motor skills of grasping,
chewing and swallowing.
The quality of the diet at this time is much more involved than the quantity. Hence the
interest in nutritional supplements to improve the quality of nutrition. Iron intake from the
diet is essential during During this time, using infant formula or iron-fortified cereals, as well
as eating iron-rich foods, such as blended meats, can prevent this problem.

3. The child's eating habits :

Eating habits adopted from a young age will affect the health of individuals
throughout their lives. Hence the importance of the role of parents in establishing
the most balanced diet possible.
The child's eating choices and habits are subject to:
  The environment
 Parental pressure
 The availability and accessibility of certain food products
 Advertising and marketing
 Parents who encourage the discovery of new foods
 Socializing meals (with family, alone, in the canteen)

Thus the introduction of sweet drinks and confectionery at a young age leads to the
establishment of a habit which persists even after childhood. Consumption of
extrinsic sugars more than four times a day would lead to an increase in the risk of
caries.

II- Dietary recommendations :

1. Recommendations from 0 to 3 years :

The transition to a diversified diet is generally very well supervised by the child's
pediatrician. However, the dentist can reinforce the recommendations
concerning more specifically the behaviors that can lead to the development of
cavities.
Advice to give:
 Water is the only drink to offer to infants to quench their thirst,
 Avoid bread before the age of one year and biscuits which are of no
nutritional benefit and often cause risks of “off-track” in younger children,
 Limit the addition of sugar in foods prepared for infants,
 For babies breastfed by their mother, avoid extending the duration of the
feeding.

2. Recommendations after 3 years :

Until the age of 8-10, the child's immaturity makes him incapable of integrating
the merits of the concepts of healthy eating; it is through imitation of the parents
that good habits can be established. transmitted. It is therefore essential to rely
on parents to achieve a balanced diet.
After 8-10 years, children become able to integrate and apply certain concepts
allowing them to acquire a better balanced diet. However, even at this age, the
active participation of parents remains essential.

III- Dietary considerations in children :

The objective is to transmit good eating habits as early as possible, as well as good oral
hygiene habits.

1. Respect eating habits by teaching children very early not to eat outside of four meals.

2. Ensure a good nutritional balance by favoring complex carbohydrates and fiber at the
expense of lipids and simple carbohydrates.

3. Eliminate (or limit as much as possible) sticky treats (caramel, chewing gum, etc.)

4. Think about beneficial combinations of bread+cheese+fruit for snacks.

5. Encourage the consumption of 5 fruits and vegetables daily.

6. Preferably choose “no added sugar” fruit juices reserved for breakfast or snack,
water is the only drink at lunch or dinner. Sodas should be consumed occasionally.