You’re careful about what your family eats, because, after all, their oral health depends on it. Without the necessary proteins, vitamins, and minerals in their diets, children’s teeth and gums are at risk for decay and disease. But did you know it’s a two-way street? Without healthy teeth and gums, your child’s digestive system can suffer as well.
Because digestion doesn’t start in the stomach—it starts in the mouth! Let’s take a quick look at how the digestive system operates.
- Teeth
The first step in digesting is breaking down foods so our bodies can extract nutrients more easily. Healthy teeth are essential here. Incisors and canines tear food into smaller pieces while molars grind these pieces into an easy-to-swallow, paste-like consistency. While we chew, the surface area of the food increases, allowing the digestive enzymes in saliva, the stomach, and the small intestine to work more efficiently.
- Salivary Glands
Saliva production increases when we eat. Digestive enzymes in saliva begin breaking down carbs into sugars, and separating fat molecules. Saliva also contains antimicrobial peptides which are important for oral and gut health.
- Esophagus
This muscular tube connects the back of the throat to the stomach. As we swallow, muscles in the esophagus contract and relax, an involuntary movement called peristalsis. These contractions push food down into the stomach. Peristalsis also occurs in the stomach and intestines, efficiently moving food through the rest of the digestive system.
- Stomach
Inside the stomach are gastric acids and enzymes which break food down further to help the small intestine make use of these nutrients in the next stage of digestion.
- Small Intestine
This organ works to reap the benefits of our healthy diets. The small intestine absorbs about 95% of the nutrients from our digested food—carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, and minerals—and transfers these nutrients to the circulatory system to be used throughout the body. Any remaining food particles travel to the colon, or large intestine.
- Large Intestine
Bacteria in the large intestine help process soluble fiber, which we can’t digest on our own. The large intestine is also where insoluble fiber and anything else undigested are converted to solid waste.
Digestion begins in the mouth, and, when dental problems make chewing and swallowing difficult, the entire digestive system can be affected:
- When children don’t chew thoroughly, food doesn't break down into the paste-like consistency necessary for their digestive systems to process it smoothly.
- Too little chewing means fewer digestive enzymes to help them digest food once swallowed.
- Larger or more solid pieces of food make swallowing difficult and increase the risk of choking.
- When the stomach and intestines have to work harder to break food down, children might suffer heartburn, indigestion, bloating, and constipation. They may not absorb all the nutrients in their food.
Some children might need extra help at home to learn to chew properly. Eat with your child and model healthy chewing. Encourage your child to eat more slowly and to count bites if necessary. It might take a bit of practice, but healthy eating habits are worth it!
Sometimes, though, there’s a dental problem causing chewing difficulties. Children might avoid chewing because of loose baby teeth. They might have a painful cavity or infection. There may be bite problems which make it impossible for the jaws and teeth to meet properly.
Pediatric dentists generally recommend that children have examinations and cleanings twice a year to discover and treat any oral problems before they become more serious, as well as an orthodontic checkup around the age of seven. Of course, any tooth pain or sensitivity is a good reason to see Dr. Cosman, Dr. McDonough, Dr. Levac and Dr. Korcok immediately.
When a cavity, an infection, bite problems, or any other dental concerns are causing your child discomfort, the team at Cataraqui Dental Centre in Kingston, ON can help restore healthy teeth and healthy digestion—so your child can get all the benefits of your mindful meal planning!
