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.
Here are 5 foods you can add to your child’s diet to help them have healthier teeth
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. 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.
Proteins
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 fibre. 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.
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Vitamin C and vitimin D
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.
Salmon and other fish, rich in the Omega-3 fatty acids are well known for improving heart health, but these same foods are great sources of vitamin D, which plays a critical role in keeping teeth and jaw bones strong.
Crunchy Vegetables and Fruits
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.
Green leafy vegetables like spinach are a great source of iron and are powerful antioxidants. They are also full of beta-carotene, which is needed for keeping tooth enamel strong.
In addition to healthy foods, good brushing and flossing habits, regular checkups with your dentist is beneficial for good dental health.
