Healthy Food for Healthy Teeth
A healthy diet is essential for the development of your children’s teeth. At Pediatric Dental Care in Fairfax, Springfield, and Chantilly, we want your children to have strong, healthy teeth that will last their lifetime. The foods and drinks they consume greatly impact their oral health, affecting the development and growth of their teeth and their overall health and well-being.
A healthy diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients can help to build the strong, healthy teeth that your children need. A diet high in sugar, acid, and processed foods can lead to tooth decay and poor oral health. Your pediatric dentist in Fairfax, Springfield, and Chantilly has a few suggestions for a healthy diet for your children.
Vitamin and Nutrient Rich Foods
One of the most important nutrients for healthy teeth is calcium. Calcium is essential for the development and care of strong teeth and bones. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are excellent sources of calcium and should be a part of your child’s diet regularly. In addition, leafy green vegetables like broccoli and kale are also good sources of calcium.
Vitamin D is also essential for healthy teeth! It’s an important vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium to promote healthy teeth development. Great sources of vitamin D include fish like salmon and fortified foods like milk and some cereals.
Eat Your Fruits and Veggies!
Fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamins and minerals that are essential for growing and maintaining healthy teeth in your children. Eating enough fruits and vegetables will ensure your children are getting enough calcium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients in their diets. Fruits and vegetables also contain water, helping to neutralize the acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. Apples, carrots, and celery are all great healthy snack options for healthy teeth!
Whole grains are also important for your children’s healthy teeth. Whole grains are high in fiber, promoting healthy digestion and reducing the risk of tooth decay. Whole wheat crackers, popcorn, and even oatmeal are great, healthy snacks that will help your children develop strong teeth.
Don’t Forget About Nuts and Seeds!
Along with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, nuts, and seeds are also good sources of healthy fats, proteins, and minerals! Almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds are great sources of essential vitamins and minerals and are great additions to your children’s snacks.
Staying Hydrated is Important
Drinking lots of water is also essential for maintaining healthy teeth and your children’s overall health. The ultimate sugar-free drink, water reduces the risk of tooth decay by helping neutralize the acid produced by bacteria in the mouth and washing food particles away. Not only will it help your children stay hydrated, but it will help them take care of their teeth as well!
Snacks to Avoid
So many “healthy” snacks are actually filled with sugar which increases the risk of tooth decay and cavities. While they taste good, they’re actually bad for you! Here are some not-so-tooth-friendly snacks you should avoid:
Dried fruit, fruit leathers, and fruit snacks
Energy, protein, or granola bars
Crackers and potato chips
Sports drinks
All of these snacks contain extra calories and high levels of sugar. Some of them even contain sticky ingredients like dried fruit and other sweeteners that stick to your children’s teeth long after the snack is eaten.
Snacks for Healthy Teeth
What can you do to ensure your child has a lifetime of happy teeth and happy smiles? Here are a few truly teeth-friendly snack ideas:
Fresh fruit and crunchy vegetables
Apples and peanut butter
Pears and strawberries with yogurt
Carrots, broccoli, celery, and cucumbers with hummus
Lunch meat and cheese rollups
Cheese
Low-sugar yogurt or cottage cheese
Low-sugar cereal with milk
Remember, snacking a lot during the day can increase your child’s risk of developing cavities and tooth decay. When foods or drinks that contain sugar are consumed, the bacteria in your mouth produce harmful acids that attack your tooth enamel. These acids can stay in your mouth for up to 20 minutes after you eat. Frequent acid attacks can break down the enamel of your teeth and cause tooth decay and cavities.
Help your children take care of their teeth, and remind them to brush and floss at least twice daily. Help them make healthy diet choices, and give them lots of healthy snack options to promote great oral health and teeth development.
At Pediatric Dental Care in Fairfax, Springfield, and Chantilly, we’re here for your family! We want to help grow those smiles for a healthy mouth for life! Contact us to schedule an appointment for your child today.