As a parent, you do your best to keep harmful things away from your child and to enrich their lives with good things. After all, it’s your job to protect and teach them. But did you know that tooth decay is the most common childhood disease? Children are much more likely to have a cavity than asthma. Other than brushing and flossing every day, you may be wondering if there’s anything else you can do to safeguard your little one.
When it comes to their diet, you may try to limit their sugar intake every day. That’s a great start for promoting their well-being, especially their smile! But there are also good foods you can give your kiddo to provide the nutrition their mouth needs to stay healthy.
Nutrition Matters for Dental Health
Although healthy dental habits are certainly essential for cavity-free teeth, your child’s diet can also have a large impact. Sugary, starchy, and sticky foods can promote bacterial growth and make it more challenging to clean teeth.
Foods Worth Smiling About
Not only can healthy foods provide the vitamins and minerals your child needs to have healthy teeth, but they can also make caring for their teeth easier. In fact, there are many smile-friendly foods! Here are just some of them.
Calcium-Rich Foods
If you want your child’s teeth to be strong against cavity-causing bacteria, they need to get plenty of calcium and Vitamin D. These reinforce their enamel and make it more difficult for cavities to form. Foods containing calcium and Vitamin D include milk, cheese, yogurt, almonds, beans, and leafy greens.
Water-Filled Foods
Some foods naturally have lots of water. This can help rinse food particles and bacteria out of the mouth, reducing the likelihood of cavities. For example, watermelon, cucumbers, and pears have high water content and can help your child’s mouth stay clean.
Fibrous Foods
When the mouth has to work hard to break down certain foods, it can actually benefit oral health. For example, leafy greens and broccoli are very fibrous, so the mouth produces more saliva to clear out this food. As a result, eating these foods, including carrots and apples, assists in keeping your child’s mouth
Water
Although water isn’t considered food, it is the healthiest substance your child can consume. Not only does it keep their mouth hydrated with saliva and rinse away bacteria, but it also contains no sugar whatsoever. Plus, if you’re sourcing your water from a community source, it likely also has fluoride in it, which is proven to prevent cavities. The next time you’re about to give your child juice or a sports drink, choose water instead!
In the end, your child’s diet is a major contributing factor to their oral and overall health. Making smart choices can improve their ability to fight off cavities and stay as healthy as possible.
About the Author
As a caring, board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Lily loves helping kids learn healthy dental habits. She is a member of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She practices at Shiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Garland, TX and is a mother of a young son. If you have questions concerning your child’s diet and the effect on their teeth, you can schedule an appointment online Dr. Lily through her website or by calling 469-925-0861.