All parents desire their children to have a robust and healthy smile; however, what you are putting in your child’s body is a primary factor in keeping their teeth and gums strong. Smart food choices can limit cavity risks, gum problems, and other oral health issues to help promote healthy smiles for children for a lifetime.
If you are looking for professional support for your child, a pediatric dentist near you can offer nutrition and oral health care support for children. However, for now, you can read this blog to know.
Why Is Nutrition Important for Your Child’s Dental Health?
The healthy gums and teeth of your child don’t just happen accidentally! Your child’s teeth and gums will develop from good oral hygiene and great nutrition. Kids’ teeth are still developing their enamel, making them more vulnerable to cavities and decay. Foods that have vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients can help build teeth (and pores in their mouth), build good gum health, develop their jaw, and create facial development.
A pediatric dentistry in Airdrie will help parents identify nutritional deficiencies and introduce foods that children will not only enjoy eating, but also that will support and protect their smile.
Amazing Foods to Have for Healthy Teeth and Gums
Here are some of the best foods to have your children experience for healthy teeth and gums!
1. Dairy Products: Milk, Cheese, and Yogurt
Dairy tends to be rich in calcium and phosphorus—both of which help to strengthen our enamel and bones! Cheese also increases salivary flow, which, being a natural cleanser, helps wash away food particles and neutralizes harmful acids that lead to tooth decay. Yogurt with live cultures provides additional health benefits due to the beneficial bacteria that can improve the overall health of your mouth.
2. Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, Carrots, and Celery
These are considered nature’s toothbrushes! Simply chewing crunchy fruits and vegetables pulls and removes food particles and plaque from your teeth. Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables also stimulates your gums, increasing circulation, which contributes to healthy gums. Apples, for example, can also aid in fighting cavities by increasing saliva, and carrots have a lot of vitamin A that can strengthen enamel.
3. Leafy Greens: Spinach, Kale, and Broccoli.
Leafy vegetables contain calcium, folic acid, and other vitamins that can keep your teeth strong and your gums healthy. Folic acid is important for proper gum development and can reduce inflammation in children who have chronic gum issues.
4. Protein Foods: Eggs, Chicken, and Fish.
Protein, in general, is important for overall growth, as well as for strong teeth. Eggs, lean meats, lentils, chickpeas, and other fish, like salmon, provide phosphorus as well as calcium for enamel. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish like salmon also provide vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium.
5. Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, Walnuts, and Sunflower Seeds
They are a great snack option for kids. These foods contain protein, calcium, and healthy fats that can help strengthen enamel. Chewing nuts also stimulates saliva, which may help prevent plaque buildup on the teeth. Be mindful of smaller children and select pieces that are the correct size to avoid choking risks.
6. Water: Number One Cleaning Agent for Teeth
One of the easiest ways to protect your teeth is to drink lots of water throughout the day. Water will wash away food particles, dilute sugar in the mouth, and balance saliva levels. If you drink fluoridated water, it also creates additional protection against cavities, making water an easy addition to your child’s daily routine.
Foods that must be Limited for Healthy Smiles
Although certain foods help your child build strong teeth, others expose your child to the risk of cavities and gum issues.
- Sugary Snacks and Drinks: Colorful candy, cookies, and soda feed the bad bacteria that create acid that is attacking enamel.
- Sticky Foods: Gummies and caramel can stick to your child’s teeth longer and produce more decay.
- Juice: Even though juice is better than soda, it still can be high in sugar and acid, which can deteriorate enamel.
Moderation with sweets and timing them for a meal versus ongoing snacking will help with the damage.
Tips to Make Healthy Eating Fun
- Make it Colorful: Make veggies and fruit a little more exciting by making a rainbow food.
- Healthy Snack Swaps: Swap out candy for cheese sticks, nuts, or fruit slices.
- Cook with them: Kids are more incentivized to eat items that they help prepare.
- Positive Reinforcement: Praise your child when they select healthy choices.
Conclusion: Support Strong and Healthy Smiles for Life
Good nutrition is one of the easiest methods to protect your child’s teeth and gums. A balanced diet consisting of dairy, crunchy vegetables, protein foods, and water will help to establish a strong outer enamel and healthy gums and reduce cavities.
At Toothpals Pediatric Dentistry, we work with parents and kids to make healthy food choices so they can eat better and reduce risk. Our professional, caring team of pediatric dentists in Airdrie is prepared to support your child’s smile at all stages.
So call today to set an appointment and set your child up for healthy and confident smiles that last a lifetime.
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