Good Nutrition is Key for Your Child’s Dental Health

The diet of children has a significant effect on their dental health and growth. As a parent, it is essential to comprehend the link between nutrition and your child’s teeth so you can make intelligent choices for healthy and strong teeth.

Many parents know that sugary treats like candy and soda do not favour oral health. However, even juice without sugar is acidic and erodes tooth enamel over time. Adhesive food, such as raisins and dehydrated fruits, could also stick to teeth, which helps the bacteria that are responsible for tooth decay. And sugary and starch snacks such as crackers and chips remain in teeth crevices. Thus, although natural sugars are better than added sugars, we must consume them in moderation.

Cheese, vegetables, unsweetened yogurt, and nuts are the best snacks for your dental health. The calcium in cheese strengthens tooth enamel and balances mouth acid. In addition, cheese has a tough texture for the mechanical removal of foods. Crunchy veggies like carrots and celery act as natural toothbrushes. They need considerable chewing, which produces more saliva to rinse acids from them. Yogurt has probiotics that contribute to a balanced oral microbiome by displacing hostile bacteria living in the cavities, apart from casein protein in yogurt, which strengthens the tooth with calcium and phosphate. Nuts like almonds have enamel-reinforcing calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D. Their fibrous material cleans the teeth. Oleic acid in nuts can destroy oral bacterial biofilms that lead to tooth decay. Also, nuts are low in fermentable carbs, which are the source of acid-producing oral bacteria.

Always read nutrition labels carefully before making a snack choice for your child. Look for those without added sugars in the first few ingredients. Words such as “sweetened,” “syrup,” and “juice concentrate” mean additional sugar. Give a miss to those with sugar in the product name, like “fruit snacks,” which, in fact, are just candy. Likewise, stay away from starchy and sugary processed grains like crackers, cookies, and pretzels, which are the food of the bacteria that lead to tooth decay.

Water and milk are the great beverages for the oral health. The water neutralizes mouth acid and removes food particles, while milk calms the developing teeth by providing calcium. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and juices, as these coat the teeth with acids. Avoid sports and energy drinks, which wear down tooth enamel over time.

With a careful eye on nutrition, parents can position their kids for optimal dental health. Restrict sweets, starches or sticky snacks. Choose cheese, vegetables, unsweetened yogurt, nuts, and lean proteins instead. Read labels to check added sugars, especially in beverages. Next, choose water or milk as your child’s favourite drink. The early development of these healthy routines will positively affect solid and cavity-free teeth in the future.

And as caring parents, we want our kids to have the best and healthiest smiles. Our dentists at Scott Road in Surrey at New Smile Dental Group realize how crucial childhood nutrition is to lifelong oral health. We are here to answer your questions and collaborate to facilitate a healthy dental routine for your little one. Please call us at 604-591-3060 to schedule an appointment or go to https://www.newsmiledental.ca/ to be placed with a kid-friendly dentist.