How Does Diet Affect Your Kids Teeth?

It is especially important that you try to encourage healthy eating habits as soon as possible. This is because it will have a positive effect on the development of their teeth and bones, and will ensure their body has all it needs to maintain healthy gums, and to fight any dental infections more effectively. It is easy to overlook the importance of healthy gums, but if you think about they help hold teeth firmly in position, and without strong gums there is a good chance teeth can become loose and will either fall out or require extracting.

How Can I Create a Tooth Friendly Diet?

When you are planning meals for kids, try to include the following types of foods:

• Apples are very good for teeth. They are high in fiber and can have a slight scrubbing action that helps stimulate the gums, increasing the flow of saliva, helping to clean tooth and gum surfaces. In addition they are a really good source of essential vitamins and minerals and are easy for kids to eat on the go.
• Celery is another good one, as it is also very crunchy and has the same effect on teeth as an apple. It is always a good idea to encourage children to eat lots of crunchy fruits and veggies that have a high water content, as this helps reduce the effect of any natural sugars.
• Dairy products can be great for teeth, but try to choose items that don’t have any added sugars. Dairy products contain calcium and phosphates, and milk has Vitamin D which helps the body to use calcium. Cheese is great, as it stimulates saliva, and contains plenty of calcium. Combine cheese with a nice crunchy apple for the perfect snack. Yoghurts are popular with children, but it is best to read the labels and pick brands that are low in sugar. Alternatively choose plain or Greek yoghurt and perhaps add some fresh fruit for a sweeter flavor.
• Whole grains are better for teeth as they are higher in fiber and have plenty of vitamins and minerals, so look for whole grain options when buying breads, pasta and cereals.

It can often be difficult to get children to eat healthily, especially if they are going through a phase of picky eating, or if they really don’t like one of the major food groups. We can help through providing advice as part of your child’s customized treatment plan, and will work with you to produce a healthy diet that they will hopefully enjoy eating.

In addition, regular checkups help us to regularly assess the development of their teeth and jaws, and to make sure everything is developing normally. If we do spot anything then it is usually easier to treat sooner rather than later.

For more information please visit www.kidsbestdentistnyc.com

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