Top Foods to Strengthen Your Child’s Teeth
Nobody wants to deal with the pain and discomfort caused by cavities, least of all your children!
Limiting foods high in sugar like candy and soda is a great way to start taking care of your child’s overall oral health, but to maintain it, eating certain foods can help. From dairy to different fruits and vegetables, there are plenty of great-tasting and healthy foods out there that kids will love to eat!
FRUIT
With so many fruits out there, it’s possible that your child will love eating at least one that can help promote great oral health. Oranges and limes, while acidic, are great ways to prevent gum disease like gingivitis. Because they’re high in vitamin C, they promote a healthy supply of collagen in the gums. Also high in vitamin C, kiwis and strawberries are other good choices, as they can help kill bacteria that can affect gums negatively. However, dentists recommend waiting at least a half hour before your child brushes their teeth after eating citrus fruits or juices as it can temporarily weaken enamel.
DAIRY
Calcium is important for strong teeth, and eating dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk is a great way to get calcium. Eating starchy foods like bread and pasta can produce an acid that causes cavities. Rinsing carbs down with a glass of milk or cup of yogurt can raise the pH level in your child’s mouth that can lower acid levels and reduce tooth decay. Calcium helps in another way by sticking to teeth to protect them from lingering acid. It can also repair enamel and strengthen the bones in your child’s mouth.
VEGGIES
It can be a hard battle to get your kids to eat their veggies, but not only do vegetables keep your kids healthy, they also keep their teeth clean! Just like brushing their teeth helps get rid of plaque, crisp veggies can help do the same in between regular brushes. Thanks to the fibrous nature of veggies like carrots, celery, and snap peas, these foods can naturally scrape away plaque. To get the most out of each vegetable, it’s best to get your child to eat slowly and really chew each bite!
Source: http://www.parents.com/health/dental/smile-savers/
