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We’ve all heard “you are what you eat,” but did you know that includes your teeth? Your diet is just as important to your teeth as it is to the rest of your body. We know dairy foods contain calcium to make bones and teeth strong, but other foods can help your teeth, too!
Surfside Smile Co. knows how important good nutrition is to your teeth. We also know that certain foods can help your teeth, while others can hurt them.
What are the best foods for teeth? Let’s explore what helps your teeth and what can hurt them.
You know it’s important for your child to get the proper nutrition early in their life. But it’s just as important to have good nutrition for the teeth.
You may think it’s not a huge deal if your child gets cavities in their baby teeth. They’re going to fall out anyway, right? Your baby’s milk teeth are for more than milk or food. They are also necessary for your child’s developing speech, as well as their developing jaws and bone structure.
Unfortunately, many baby snacks, including fruit-squeeze pouches and cereal, contain high levels of sugar and carbohydrates. But other foods may contain sugar and carbs, including jarred baby food. That’s why it’s important to get a jump on your child’s nutrition right away.
As your child gets older, they may tend to snack between smaller meals. Unfortunately, their snacks tend to have high sugar or carbohydrate content, much like those for younger kids.
Tooth decay can now affect their permanent teeth as well as their baby teeth. Your youngster starts getting their permanent teeth around age 6, when the first tooth falls out. Those teeth are designed to last them a lifetime, so the last thing they want in them is cavities!
Snacks for kids may be marketed with things like “made with real fruit juice!” or “whole wheat snacks!” But look closer at the labels. There may be fruit juice, but there may also be things like high-fructose corn syrup, added sugar, and flavorings that can, as our parents used to say, “rot your teeth.”
One of the worst culprits isn’t even food! Those fruity-flavored drinks or sports drinks your kiddo loves? They’re often LOADED with sugar! They may be liquid, but the sugar in them will cling to your child’s teeth just as easily.
But it’s not all gloom and doom. Some snacks out there are healthy for your child and their teeth. As for drinks, you can’t beat good, old-fashioned, plain water.
It’s not just what your child eats that matters. It’s also when they eat —or, more specifically, how often. We know many kids, particularly younger ones, are “grazers.” They won’t eat a full meal. Instead, they eat a little here, and a little there, a bit later.
That can actually be more dangerous to your child’s teeth! Each time you eat, the pH of your saliva changes, and your mouth becomes more acidic. This initiates the digestive process.
While that acid is excellent for breaking down your food, it’s not so great for your teeth. We talk about sugar and carbs because they make your mouth more acidic than other types of foods, but pretty much anything you eat or drink will create acid. The big exception? Our friend plain water.
The best thing you can do is encourage your child to eat fewer snacks and more substantial meals throughout the day. That way, they get the same food and nutrition, but the acid attacks on the teeth are reduced.
So what can your kid eat that’s tooth-friendly? Lots of great things! Yogurt and other dairy foods, nuts, fresh fruit (instead of processed food snacks), and fresh veggies are great for kids. We know, we know…trying to get kids to eat fresh vegetables, right? But you might be surprised! They enjoy carrots as baby food…try a few baby carrots as snacks when they’re older!
What about those sweet drinks? It’s best to avoid them if you can, but if you can’t, save them for meal time. Your child can still enjoy them, and the other foods may help reduce the acidity that sugary drinks would produce on their own.
Remember, the fresher the better! Stay away from processed foods as much as possible. Even foods like peanut butter or jam can be found in all-natural states. And if you can’t find the ideal snacks, try making your own! You and your child may enjoy making creative, healthy snacks together.
Kids love chewing gum once they get old enough to know not to swallow it. Some gums, like bubble gum, can be loaded with sugar that lingers on the teeth and can accelerate tooth decay.
Sugarless gum, however, can be good for your teeth if it contains Xylitol. This substance counteracts the bacteria that attack your enamel. It can actually reduce your chance of cavities.
Everything should be in moderation, so we don’t encourage constant gum chewing. But if your child must chew gum, look for sugarless gum with Xylitol. It’s a better choice for your kiddo’s teeth!
Dairy foods provide calcium and other vitamins and minerals that strengthen tooth enamel, but it isn’t the only food group that helps. Vegetables and fruits also provide essential vitamins, such as A, C, and K, that support dental and gum health. The best diet for your teeth is a balanced diet.
Go for sugarless gum with Xylitol, which can help reduce acid and tooth decay as you chew. If you do chew gum with sugar, don’t chew it very long, and be sure to brush your teeth right afterward.
Sodas definitely are not suitable for teeth. Whether regular or diet, sodas contain acids that can damage your enamel. Regular sodas also have a lot of sugar, which can cause plaque buildup and increase the acid in your mouth. Sports drinks, fruit-flavored drinks, coffee, and tea also contain sugars and acids that can damage teeth.
Plain water is best. Tap water is better than bottled water if your municipality adds fluoride. The added fluoride in the water will help strengthen tooth enamel!
Foods high in sugar and carbohydrates promote more plaque and increase the risk of tooth decay. Raw vegetables and nuts can help reduce plaque on the teeth. Plain water will also wash plaque, sugars, and acids off the teeth before they can build up.
The best way to keep plaque off is to brush at least twice a day for 2 minutes each time, after flossing. Be sure to use a fluoride toothpaste, and don’t eat or drink anything for at least half an hour after brushing so that the fluoride has time to reach its maximum effectiveness.
Just like the rest of your body, a balanced diet is vital to oral health. Keeping your sugar intake low and your vitamin and mineral intake high will keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.
A healthy diet should be combined with good oral hygiene habits. Brush and floss daily, and visit your dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning and examination. Surfside Smile Co. provides pediatric dentistry for kids in Middletown, NJ. Schedule an appointment with us today!
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Call 732-639-0011 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.