By: Amy Carroll, MS, MCHES
February is National Children's Dental Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of oral health for children and to promote good dental hygiene habits. As parents and caregivers, it’s important to understand how nutrition affects not only your child’s overall health but also the health of their teeth. Let’s discuss the link between diet and dental health, as well as take a closer look at Missouri Medicaid coverage for dental services for both children and adults.
What we eat plays a significant role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. What your child eats can either support their oral health or contribute to dental problems like cavities, gum disease, and enamel erosion. Here are a few ways nutrition impacts our teeth:
Foods to Promote Strong Teeth:
· Calcium-Rich Foods: Calcium helps build and maintain strong teeth. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are excellent sources of calcium. For lactose-intolerant children, calcium-fortified plant-based milks (like almond or soy milk) are great alternatives.
· Phosphorus: This mineral works alongside calcium to help rebuild and repair tooth enamel. Foods rich in phosphorus include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and nuts.
· Vitamin D: This vitamin is crucial for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Ensure your child gets enough vitamin D through sunlight exposure, fortified foods, and supplements if needed.
· Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, carrots, and celery are excellent for cleaning teeth naturally. Their high water content stimulates saliva production, which helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles.
Foods to Avoid for Healthy Teeth:
· Sugary Snacks and Drinks: Sugar is a major contributor to tooth decay. When sugar combines with bacteria in the mouth, it forms acids that erode tooth enamel. Sodas, candies, and sugary cereals should be limited in your child’s diet.
· Sticky Foods: Dried fruits, fruit roll-ups, and other sticky snacks can cling to teeth and are harder to remove with brushing, increasing the risk of cavities.
· Acidic Foods and Drinks: Citrus fruits, fruit juices, and sodas can erode enamel over time, leading to sensitive teeth and an increased risk of cavities.
Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy can help ensure consumption of the necessary nutrients for healthy teeth and gums. In addition to good nutrition, regular dental checkups and brushing habits are key to preventing oral health issues. It is important to brush at least twice a day for two full minutes, and floss once a day to prevent dental issues. Don’t forget to schedule regular dental visits, every six months, to catch any issues early on and maintain optimal oral health.
Missouri Medicaid
Many in Missouri are unaware of the dental coverage available through Medicaid. Missouri Medicaid (MO HealthNet) provides dental benefits for children under the age of 19, pregnant women, and qualifying adults, ensuring they have access to essential dental services to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Missouri Medicaid covers a wide range of dental services. For children and pregnant women, this includes routine dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings and crowns, and tooth extractions. All other adults who qualify have limited coverage for emergency dental services, preventive care, and medically necessary procedures. For children or adults to be eligible for Medicaid, they must meet income and residency requirements. Families can apply online or at a local Family Support Division office.
Once enrolled in Missouri Medicaid, you can find a participating dentist by visiting the MO HealthNet website at https://apps.dss.mo.gov/fmsmedicaidprovidersearch/ or by calling the customer service number on the insurance card. It's important to make sure the dentist you choose accepts Medicaid to ensure dental care is fully covered.
Northeast Missouri Health Council has three dental locations that accept Medicaid as well as a mobile services program that visits rural Northeast Missouri schools. If your child has Medicaid, talk to your school nurse to see about signing up for onsite dental services.
· Northeast Dental – 402 W. Jefferson Suite C, Kirksville, MO – 660.665.2741
· Macon Dental – 209 N. Missouri St., Macon, MO – 660.395.5045
· Kahoka Dental – 22291 US HWY 136, Kahoka, MO – 660.727.1500
National Children's Dental Health Month is an important reminder to focus on the health of our children's teeth and gums as well as our own. By promoting healthy eating habits, encouraging good oral hygiene practices, and utilizing available resources like Missouri Medicaid, we can reduce the occurrence of cavities and oral pain.
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