As a parent, you understand the importance of nutrition and healthy diet for your children. By encouraging your kids to have foods good for teeth, you will help their teeth and enamel stay strong and healthy for a long time. Let us look at some foods that will help your kids have great oral health.
Foods that Keep Your Kids’ Teeth Strong
Dairy Products
Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt are rich in calcium, which not only strengthens the minerals in bones but also helps in making the teeth strong by strengthening the enamel on them. Moreover, some dairy products help in promoting the production of saliva which protects the teeth against bacteria. Encourage your kids to have dairy products with their meals or as a snack. Dairy products help in raising the pH levels in the mouth and reduce the effect of the acids produced by dental plaque. Additionally, the raised pH levels prevent tooth decay and cavities too. Make sure that you avoid giving your kids flavored milk as they contain a high amount of sugar which reduces the health benefits.
Protein
Protein is important for healthy gums and teeth. You can incorporate protein into your kids’ diet through meat such as chicken and beef. The phosphorus in these animal proteins is necessary for better oral health. If your child is picky about meat and isn’t too fond of it, include eggs as the yolk has high levels of phosphorous. If you are a vegetarian family, consider tofu, beans and nuts as they are excellent sources of protein.
Whole grains
They are unrefined grains which preserve the healthy parts such as nutritious components and fiber. Additionally, whole grains are rich in magnesium which helps in building tooth enamel. Refined carbohydrates, on the other hand, are those grains which are broken down into simple sugars. These are not as nutritious as whole grains and cause more cavities.
Vitamin C
Make sure your kids consume food that is high in vitamin C. Found in citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, green vegetables, pepper, potatoes, melons, etc., vitamin C reduces the amount of bacteria in the mouth, prevents gingivitis or gum disease and increases the gum health. However, exercise caution with acidic fruits as exposure to the acids found in them can damage the enamel on the teeth. To minimize its effects, make sure that your children drink a lot of water to wash of the acids and sugars off of the teeth.
Crunchy Veggies
When you incorporate crunchy vegetables and fruits such as carrots, apples, cabbage, cauliflower, etc., you help in ensuring that your child’s teeth remain healthy. Crunchy veggies require a lot of chewing and breaking down into small tooth-scrubbing particles. These particles help in removing the build-up of plaque and debris on the child’s teeth. You can also include celery in their diet as it has been called “nature’s floss” due to the presence of fibrous strands and high water content, both of which help in improving the health of the teeth.
Does your child’s diet cover most of the above mentioned foods and nutrients? If yes, then you are on the right track. It is absolutely essential that children develop healthy eating habits at an early age for the benefit of their oral and physical health. Along with a healthy diet, make sure you encourage your kids to develop habits such as regular brushing and flossing. Take them for regular dental checkups as well. This will help your kids to have strong, healthy teeth for a long time to come.
Author Bio: Shen Chao is part of Dr. Joshua Hong’s Smile Clinic. While working at the Smile Clinic, he has witnessed how dental implants can improve people’s smile and boost their self confidence. If you are interested in improving your smile or need a dental procedure contact Shen Chao to learn more by emailing him at [email protected] or get more information at www.joshuahongdds.com.