In preparation for his career in oral health care, Dr. Ophir Alalouf earned his DDS at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Ophir Alalouf, now a pediatric dentist, treats young people with tooth decay and other conditions at Kids Teeth, LLC, in Rockville, Maryland.

1. Tooth Decay and Diet in Children
Ophir Alalouf

2. Introduction
• In preparation for his career in oral health care, Dr.
Ophir Alalouf earned his DDS at the State University of
New York at Buffalo. Dr. Ophir Alalouf, now a pediatric
dentist, treats young people with tooth decay and other
conditions at Kids Teeth, LLC, in Rockville, Maryland.
Though many parents know that brushing and flossing is
essential to keeping their children’s teeth healthy, they
may be less familiar with the relationship between diet
and oral health. Certain foods, for example, exacerbate
tooth decay, and these foods include carbohydrates and
starches as well as those with high sugar content.
Moreover, sticky foods leave residue clinging to the
teeth.

3. Tooth Decay
• That residue in turn acts as food for bacteria,
which cause tooth decay by producing acids that
harm teeth.
Parents can protect their children’s oral health
by emphasizing a balanced diet low in sweets
and high in fruits and vegetables. In the event a
child is given a sweet or sticky snack, ensure that
the child brushes his or her teeth afterward to
cleanse them of food particles that may promote
tooth decay.