BEST AND WORST FOOD FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN'S TEETH-Nutrition

2019-11-01

Children’s teeth

Especially prone to damage because kids have very little regard when it comes to their diet. They are especially prone to eating too many candies or drinking too many sugary drinks both of which are the leading cause of tooth decay and cavity.

It is the responsibility of adults, whether a parent or dentist in West Columbia SC to watch what kids are eating. Below is a list of foods that are good and bad for children’s teeth.

Foods Good for the Teeth

Foods that contain calcium, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals are generally good for the teeth.

Apples

Chewy and crunchy, eating an apple not only helps to clean the surface of the teeth form plaques, but it is also full of vitamins and minerals that’ll make for a delicious and healthy snack.

Water (with fluoride)

Water with fluoride is essential for keeping clean healthy and strong. What’s amazing is that all tap water has fluoride in it for easy access. But be careful when it comes to drinking water from a bottle as not all bottled water has fluoride in it.

Eggs

Eggs are rich in calcium and protein, as well as vitamin D. These are important for the overall health of our teeth. Calcium is one of the building blocks of our teeth and is important in keeping it strong. Vitamin D is crucial for the absorption of calcium into cells.

Green leafy

We all know that vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals. Broccoli and other green leafy veggies help to keep our teeth strong and healthy. In particular, the folic acid present in kale and spinach is widely known to improve the health of our teeth and gums.

Carrots and celery

Similar to apples for Children’s teeth, because both celery and carrots are crunchy and high in fiber, they help to scrub clean the plaques off of our teeth. They also contain a lot of water which helps to balance the sugar from the food we eat. Celery being fibrous, they also act as a natural floss.

Foods Bad for the Teeth

Generally, anything with sugar or high in acidity can lead to tooth problems.

Sugary drinks

At this point, everyone is aware that too much sugar can cause a lot of tooth and gum problems. Microorganisms found in our mouth feed on the sugar causing them to multiply. They also increase the acidity of our mouth which can destroy tooth enamel leading to decay.

Carbonated drinks, in particular, are especially harmful. Even the drinks marketed as “sugar-free” can erode the enamel from the teeth because of its acidic content.

Juices and citrus fruits

While citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C and other nutrients, fruits like grapefruit and lemon are highly acidic and can wear away enamel. Juices also can cause significant damage to the teeth even if they are 100% fruit juice. Water and low-fat milk are preferred over juice.

Chewy candy

Too much sugar can cause damage to our teeth, and candies contain a lot of sugar. It can lead to cavities. Chewy candies like caramel and taffy sometimes stick to the teeth for a long time and dissolve the tooth. Candies that are sugary, acidic, and extra chewy are the ones that should be avoided to keep teeth healthy and clean.

Pasta, bread, chips

These types of food are made from white flour which has a lot of starch. Starch is a simple carbohydrate that breaks down into simple sugars during digestion. The increase in sugar can lead to tooth problems like cavities and decay. Eating chips as a snack is also not recommended because one, they don’t offer any nutritional value and the starch can lead to tooth damage.

Eliza Brooks is a passionate blogger who loves to write about health, beauty, food, travel and more. She enjoys sharing beauty and health care tips to stay healthier and happier. She is currently working with Dentistdrpowell, owned by Sherry Powell one of the leading dentists in West Columbia SC.

BEST AND WORST FOODS FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN’S TEETH

By Eliza Brooks