Your child’s diet is one of the most important factors for maintaining their overall wellbeing. Healthy eating helps grow strong bones and muscles, but did you know their diet is also essential to healthy teeth? Read on to learn several of the top food recommendations to help improve your child’s oral health in Evergreen.
Eat Fruits & Veggies
Everyone knows fruits and vegetables are a couple of the major food groups. These foods contain some of the main nutrients necessary for healthy teeth, such as calcium and potassium, so keeping these around the house as snacks will encourage overall better health.
Fruits and vegetables that have a high volume of water, like pears, melons, and cucumbers are ideal. However, watch out for fruits high in sugar, such as bananas or raisins, and make sure your child brushes their teeth and rinses their mouth immediately after.
Say No to Sticky Foods
From peanut butter cookies to candy apples, sticky foods can be harmful to your child’s teeth. These kinds of foods can easily stay stuck between their teeth, increasing the time they’re exposed to sugar and the risk for cavities. It’s important your child washes their mouth and brushes their teeth after eating sticky items.
Limit Frequent Snacking
The time between meals is important for saliva to naturally wash away debris that could feed bacteria. If your child has a habit of snacking often, this could potentially provide constant food for bacteria to grow, leading to plaque and tooth decay. Limit snacks to one or two a day. Additionally, cheese is a perfectly healthy snack to offer, especially cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, or other aged cheeses which promote saliva production.
Look for Sugar-Free Foods
Sugar is perhaps the biggest source of energy for oral bacteria. This means goodies like lollipops, mints, or even cough drops can lead to tooth decay or cavities since they constantly cover your child’s teeth with sugar. Try buying sugar-free or unsweetened foods, and if you do serve sugary treats, make sure they’re with a meal and not as snacks.
Maintain a Regular Oral Hygiene Routine
Of course, while your child’s diet is important for healthy teeth, so is their daily oral hygiene. Having good dental hygiene habits is key in making sure their teeth are clean. Using a fluoridated toothpaste when brushing or flossing can prevent tooth decay and provide the essential minerals for strong teeth.
Regular visits to the dentist are also essential to their oral health. Your child should visit the dentist by the age of one, or once their first tooth emerges. By having regular dental checkups, you’ll help prevent any developing issues in your child’s teeth.
It doesn’t take much more than a few good dietary choices and a daily dental routine to maintain your child’s dental wellbeing. Consider these nutritional suggestions, and you’ll feel prepared to help your little one have a healthy smile!
About the Practice
Evergreen Dental Group is home to a team dedicated to quality and comfortable dental care. Using state-of-the-art technology, they provide an array of dentistry treatments and advice on the best nutritional practices for you and your child. If you have any questions about your child’s diet, visit their website or call (303) 674-5566.