Aside from dental hygiene, the food we feed our kids can impact their overall health. As the saying goes, “you are what you eat”, and your child needs to eat healthy foods in order to be healthy. But what types of food can make their teeth stronger? How does diet affect your kid’s overall health?
In this article, we will discuss the food your child should eat and what they should avoid to to achieve good oral health. Keep reading!
Contents
How does diet affect your child’s oral health?
How we eat and what we eat affects every aspect of our health, including dental health. Regarding nutrition and excellent health, our children should eat foods that provide the right nutrition. Our children are still developing their bodies, such as their teeth, and they need to be fed with food to help with that development. For example, eating foods that are rich in calcium can help their bones and their teeth to get stronger. As our kids are still unaware of what to do and what to eat, parents should be the ones to keep an eye on it.
If your child tends to eat nutritious foods, then their bodies will show the result, such as healthy bones, teeth, and overall health. If they tend to eat sugary foods, cavities, or even diabetes, will show as a sign of unhealthy eating habits. As they say, you are what you eat. As parents, we have to make sure that our kids are getting the proper nutrients that they need to grow healthy and strong. Don’t worry as we will discuss a few foods to eat and foods to avoid as your guide in this article.
What nutients does a child need to achieve good oral health?
These are some of the most essential nutrients a child needs to achieve good oral health.
- Calcium. It aids in the formation and maintenance of strong bones and teeth.
- Vitamin D is essential for bone and tooth mineralization.
- Phosporus. It aids the body’s absorption and utilization of calcium while also strengthening teeth by protecting and repairing tooth enamel.
- Vitamin A. Vitamin A is beneficial not only to your eyes and skin but also to your mouth, specifically saliva production.
- Vitamin C. It contributes to the health and strength of the connective tissues in your gums, which hold your teeth in place.
What food is good for your child’s oral health?
To help you plan out your kid’s meal, here are some of the best foods to give your little one.
Grass-fed dairy is a good source of calcium.
Grass-fed dairy products, such as cheese and butter, are high in vitamin K2, a mineral important for tooth health.
Fatty Fish
Because of its high vitamin D content, fatty fish is an important part of many healthy diet plans. This nutrient is essential for practically every bodily system, but one of its lesser-known benefits is its ability to minimize the risk of tooth decay.
Oranges and grapefruit
are strong in vitamin C, which helps to strengthen blood vessels and connective tissues in the mouth. It reduces the progression of gum inflammation, which can lead to gum disease.
Cheese
Milk and other dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt, are high in calcium and phosphates, which help replace minerals lost by your teeth when you eat other meals. They also aid in rebuilding tooth enamel and neutralizing toxic acids found in other foods.
Lean proteins
Protein is also necessary for the repair of gum tissue and the mucosal lining of the mouth, both of which deteriorate with age.
If you are looking for a pediatric dentist in Burke, VA look no further than Junior Smiles of Stafford. They offer top-notch pediatric dental services and can help you assess the nutritional needs of your child to achieve good oral health. Schedule your consultation today!
What food should your child avoid to maintain good oral health?
Aside from foods to eat, it’s also important to know what to avoid. Of course, a few of these can’t be avoided completely, but you can try to moderate it as much as possible.
Soda
Acidity in the mouth will very certainly contribute to decay, gum inflammation, and an overall dysbiosis of the oral flora.
Candies
It’s common knowledge that cavities are frequently caused by eating too much candy, and limiting this or training your child to avoid it is preferable.
Dried Fruits
All water has been removed from the dried fruit. What’s left is a sticky caramel that feeds sugar to the oral flora, which encourages cavities.
Conclusion
Your child’s future oral health will be shaped by factors like the food and drinks that they consume. As parents, it’s better for us to research the foods we should give our kids, and it is our responsibility to make sure that they get the best nutrition all the time. It may be tricky to discipline your child as the foods they need to avoid are usually the ones they enjoy. But, don’t worry; it may take time, but your kid will eventually understand the reason why they need to avoid it. Be an example and always show them the right things to do. After all, it’s never too late to do the right thing for oral health.
