The goods and Bads for Kids teeth
There are many foods that are ok to adults when it comes to oral health, but they may not be the best choice for children. These foods may harm the teeth in some way, either because of the sugar content or because of other chemicals that can chip away at dental enamel and create cavities. If you’re thinking about introducing your child to certain foods, here’s what you need to know about the best and worst ones in terms of protecting your child’s teeth and gums.
The Good Foods for Kids’ Teeth -nuts
Nuts of all kinds contain high levels of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and essential fatty acids. The vitamins in nuts could provide additional minerals for kids’ teeth.
Kids can munch on raw almonds or slivered walnuts plain or with fresh fruit slices to sweeten them up. Or they can use nut butter as a spread on toast, celery sticks, crackers—basically any snack food that you already serve at home.
The Good Foods for Kids’ Teeth – Green leafy vegetables
Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, Chinese cabbage all make healthy additions to any diet. They’re packed with calcium (about 80mg per cup of raw spinach), but also contain vitamin K – a nutrient needed to help calcium absorption. Vitamin K can also help fight gum disease in children – just be sure not to overdo it!
The Worst Foods for Kids’ Teeth – Sugar and soft drinks
Sipping sugary drinks is among one of the worst habits a kid can get into. Not only does that bottled or canned soft drink supply your child with 60-90 empty calories, but it also can stick to their teeth and cause cavities. While diet sodas may seem like a healthier alternative, they’re not. So next time you’re at snack time, offer up some water instead.
If you want to improve your child’s dental health by introducing more nutrients into their diet, start them out young with fruit snacks, watermelon slices instead of soft candies or chocolate chip cookies.
The Worst Foods for Kids’ Teeth – biscuits and cakes
Biscuits and cakes are usually full of sugar, which is not good for your child’s dental health. Eating an excess amount of these sugary snacks can lead to serious decay, so consume them with caution.
Other good dental hygiene habits for kids
- Brush, floss, and use mouthwash properly
Brushing teeth for the kids at least twice a day is an absolute must. Flossing is also important, and it will not only reduce bad breath but also help keep their gums strong and healthy.
- Regular dental check-ups
While it may seem like good dental hygiene takes a lot of work, a parent can help make keeping teeth clean an easy part of their child’s daily routine.
Also make sure kids don’t miss their regular dentist visits. A family that sees their dentist twice a year is more likely to have healthy smiles than one that only gets in once a year or less often. Not only will your child have cleaner teeth and healthier gums, but they’ll also get used to visiting their dentist at an early age—lessening any anxiety they might have about future visits.
