Good oral habits include brushing and flossing, but dental care for children is also directly related to what your child eats. Healthy eating habits developed early may prevent tooth decay and result in healthy teeth and gums.
This blog will touch on a few topics in this regard:
- How diet affects dental health
- Foods that promote strong teeth
- Tips to help one entice a tooth-friendly diet in kids.
How Diet Impacts Dental Health
Your child’s diet affects their teeth in two key ways. Sugars and starches in food fuel bacteria in the mouth, which produce acids that damage enamel and cause cavities. In contrast, a nutritious diet strengthens enamel, supports gum health, and promotes overall oral hygiene.
Establishing a healthy eating pattern lays the foundation for reducing future dental issues and contributes to ongoing oral wellness.
Key Nutrients For Strong Teeth
a) Calcium:
Helps to harden tooth enamel and enhances strong jaw bones.
Sources: Milk, cheese, yogurt, leafy green vegetables.
b) Phosphorus:
Works with calcium to protect and remineralize tooth enamel.
Sources: Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
c) Vitamin D:
Helps the body absorb calcium that strengthens teeth and bones.
Sources: Fortified dairy products, fish, and exposure to sunlight.
d) Vitamin C:
Necessary for healthy gums and supports connective tissues of teeth.
Sources: Oranges, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes.
e) Fluoride:
Strengthens Enamel
Sources: Present in water and dental products to protect against tooth decay.
Best Foods For Strong Teeth
• Dairy Products:
Milk, cheese, and yogurt are rich in calcium and phosphorus, which strengthen enamel. Cheese also stimulates saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and acids.
• Leafy Greens:
Spinach, kale, and the like which are rich in calcium, help keep teeth and gums healthy.
• Nuts and Seeds:
Almonds are a particularly good source of calcium and other minerals that help to neutralize acidity in the mouth.
• Lean proteins:
Chicken, fish, and turkey contain phosphorus, which protects and repairs enamel.
• Water:
Water washes away food particles, bacteria, and acids. More importantly it will keep your child hydrated. Fluoridated water provides an extra benefit.
Foods To Limit Or Avoid
– Candy, Cookies, Sweet Snacks:
Sugar foods nurture bacteria that cause tooth decay. If they are allowed to have these foods, encourage your child to brush soon after.
– Starchy Foods:
Chips, bread, and crackers convert to sugars and stick to teeth to form plaque.
– Sugary Drinks:
Sodas, fruit juices, and sports drinks are high in sugar and acid which damage the enamel. Always recommend water or milk as beverages.
– Sticky foods:
Gummies, dried fruits, and caramel cling to teeth and rarely get cleaned once it is there. This makes your child’s teeth very prone to caries.
Tips For A Tooth-Friendly Diet
1. Encourage Your Kids To Participate In Meal Planning:
Engage kids with making healthy snack choices or preparing some sort of meal; make them look forward to it. This will instill excellent lifestyle practices.
2. Wholesome Diet:
Give your child plenty of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This will give your child the actual nutrition to have good healthy teeth and to develop well overall.
3. Limit Frequent Snacking:
It increases the risk of cavities. Encourage regular meals and snacks that are teeth-friendly, like cheese, nuts, or fruits.
4. Encourage Drinking Water:
After meals, it should be the commonly consumed beverage to wash away food particles and bacteria in the mouth for the avoidance of tooth decay.
5. Teach Post-Meal Rinsing:
Where brushing may not be possible, teach your children to rinse their mouth with water to remove lodged food particles and neutralize acid.
Encourage good eating patterns for your child’s teeth and overall health. Include nutritious foods in your child’s diet that will have a positive effect on the strength of teeth, and avoid foods that are high in sugar, stickiness, and starch.
Couple these tips with regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits for the best chances of a lifetime of good oral health. Contact us for more.
Read More: 5 Ways To Get Your Kids To Brush and Floss
