Keeping on top of oral hygiene is an essential part of leading a healthy and happy life. When it comes to children’s teeth, it is important to note that many snacks and treats can contain a huge amount of added sugar.
This can even pertain to the foods that claim to be the healthier option, so taking time to check the labels is often a must.
Many teeth-friendly foods can be delicious, however, which is always an added bonus when trying to get your little ones to eat healthily.
Here are some of the best foods on offer that can help to keep your child’s teeth strong and healthy.
Crunchy Vegetables
Often, the hardest part about selecting the right food for your kids, is getting them to eat it in the first place.
Thankfully, crunchy vegetables can take many delicious forms, while simultaneously being a great option for keeping teeth healthy.
The natural composition of crunchy vegetables can work as a toothbrush of sorts, and they provide many healthy vitamins that offer a host of nourishing benefits.
For a quick snack or a delicious lunchtime meal, crunchy carrot sticks with humous are a classic option. If you wanted to make them seem slightly more appealing, carrot fries could be a tasty alternative. Of course, getting kids to eat vegetables is not always easy. If you were worried about the oral health of your child, there is no need to hesitate to contact a dentist to get some expert advice. For a great example, you might want to take a look at alexjonesdentistry.com.
Calcium Rich Food and Drink
Calcium can work wonders for strengthening teeth and bones, making food and drink rich in the nutrient a great addition to a healthy diet.
Milk is generally a good option, as it contains properties that can strengthen the enamel of teeth and support its protective properties. Calcium is perhaps one of the best nutrients in strengthening enamel, which is a superb way of defending against cavities and potential decay.
There are also dairy free options worth considering, such as tofu, soy milk and almonds, which are all rich in calcium and offer a great alternative to lactose.
Fruits
Although an excessive amount of citric acid can lead to potentially harmful effects, eating fruit in moderation can have oral hygiene benefits.
Apples are a good example of this, as they are not only delicious, but they can even work towards eliminating harmful bacteria in the mouth.
This makes them a good option for fighting bad breath, helping to keep the mouth free of plaque build-up and provide vitamin C and potassium among a host of other healthy delights.
Foods to Avoid
A sugary treat every now and then will generally not cause any harm to the teeth, especially if kept as a fairly irregular occurrence. Some of the foods and drinks worth avoiding have an incredibly high amount of added sugar, such as carbonated sodas and sweets that can find themselves stuck between the teeth.
Returning to the basics and making sure that your child is brushing twice a day is one of the very best ways to take a pre-emptive approach to defending against tooth decay.