Teaching your kids good oral hygiene practices from an early age is one of the best things you can do for them. By teaching your kids about the importance of taking care of their teeth, you can set them up for for a lifetime of great oral health.
An important aspect of kids’ dental care, as well as overall health, is their diet. Children grow and develop rapidly, and the nutrients they take in affects this development. A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals will be very beneficial to your child’s dental health, while sugary, acidic, and starchy food can have negative effects.
A dentist will be able to advise you thoroughly on which foods and drinks are good for your child’s dental health, and which are not. Teaching your child about healthy food and drink choices from a young age will help their tastes develop in a way that encourages healthy eating as they get older.
Below are some foods and drinks that impact your child’s teeth in a positive way:
- Fruits and Vegetables. Fruits and vegetables contain lots of water, and are a healthy, tasty snack to serve to your kids!
- Water. Getting your child in the habit of drinking water is a great way to keep their teeth healthy, and keep them hydrated.
- Cheese. In addition to being rich in calcium, cheese also triggers a release of saliva which helps rinse away particles stuck to teeth.
- High Calcium Foods and Drinks. Calcium is really important for developing healthy teeth and bones. Milk, yogurt, and spinach are all good sources of calcium. You can also buy calcium chews as a tasty way to incorporate this important mineral.
And here are some foods and drinks to avoid:
- Sugary Treats. Candies, cakes, cookies, and any other sugary treats can be very damaging to the teeth, and cause cavities. Limit your child’s consumption of sugary treats, and make sure they rinse with water or brush their teeth after consuming.
- Sticky/Chewy Foods. Dried fruit, syrup, honey, and chewy cereal bars stick to teeth, which makes it difficult for the sugar to be washed away. If your child has these kind of snacks, they should brush their teeth immediately after.
- Pop/Juice. Pop and juice contain tons of sugar, and intake should be limited.
Kid’s dental care is an essential part of their overall health. Foods that are healthy for your kids’ teeth are also healthy for the rest of their bodies. By teaching your kids early on about proper nutrition and oral hygiene, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of healthy choices!