Best Foods for Your Child’s Teeth

If you’re taking your young children to the dentist and making sure that they’re learning how to brush (and later floss) then we salute you. Sometimes these difficult tasks have the biggest long-term payoffs. Your small children and infants might not like dental care now but if they’re in the habit years down the road they will thank you. Your child’s diet is just as important for their teeth as the direct care. In terms of habit building, their diet will develop in a similar way. Get them started with good behavior and they will independently live that way later on. It’s probably not a tremendous shock to hear that the best foods for your teeth are basically the best foods for your child’s teeth. (They’re also generally the best foods for your overall health and that of your child.) Lots of fruits and vegetables are a good way to start. We’ll tell you more. Among things you should avoid are chewy, sticky foods, especially those high in sugar. Basically, they stick to your child’s teeth and aid in the production of plaque. If you think about the function of saliva, (one of it’s many benefits is that is helps wash away food particles) viscous foods are more resistant and will “stick” around longer to do their damage. If your child does eat something that will adhere to their teeth and gums, we recommend that they follow it with a glass of water. Hopefully a flossing session will follow such a treat as well. Speaking of snacks and treats, it’s wise to minimize their frequency throughout your child’s day. Basically, after sugary or acidic foods, your child’s teeth are under attack for about 30 minutes. (It’s actually harmful to the enamel to even brush during this period because the teeth are so vulnerable.) If their snacking episodes are limited then each day will contain fewer of these damaging periods. Good alternatives are found in crisp fruits and vegetables. Apples and carrots are great because they help wash away other particles and bacteria. Pears and cucumbers perform the same function. Did you know that cheese is good for a child’s teeth too? It stimulates salivation, helping to clear out the harmful bacteria. If your child is into gum make sure that it is sugarless. Gum with xylitol helps because it stimulates saliva. Ask your dentist for more details or check out: https://www.dentaloptimizer.com/dental-tips-prevention/