As your infant grows, and as soon as his or her very first tooth appears, you seem to get worried with a variety of issues like:
- Whether the new set of teeth will take the correct shape and look?
- How to train the baby to go for a proper regular brushing?
- How to prepare him for his first dental visit?
- Whether the baby would develop a dental anxiety as he or she grows up
- What is the exact duration of brushing to maintain the child’s teeth healthy
- What products and treatments are safe for the kids?
- When to start orthodontic treatments, if necessary
And the list of your concerns as a parent goes on. Well, apart from these, you need to make your child develop certain noble habits that would add to his or her oral health. Let’s take a look at some of the foods that can promote dental well-being
Natural foods that contribute to your child’s stronger and healthier teeth!
Although convincing a kid to consume any food is a tedious job, yet, you might be able to get him into the habit of taking some of these eatables (if not all) to give him some natural dental care:
MILK & CHEESE
Milk and cheese are rich in calcium, Vitamin D and phosphate. Therefore, it is responsible for raising the pH level inside the mouth. When children consume sugary items likes candies, chocolates etc.(as they are more inclined to them normally), the sugar feeds certain types of bacteria which breaks down the food to acidic compounds. This acid attacks the tooth enamel and in course of time leads to enamel attack and tooth decay. Thus, foods that are alkaline in nature are good for a kid’s oral health. Also the rich calcium content strengthens the bones around the gum area keeping your child from periodontal diseases.
NUTS AND SEEDS:
Often, young children are advised to munch on nuts and a whole apple or so. And specifically, the fruit should be given to the child in whole and not cut into pieces! Biting on hard objects enhances the dental health of a child greatly. It makes the teeth strong and resistant. Moreover, seeds of certain fruits and flowers, strengthens the enamel, making the teeth more resistant to cavities. Sunflower seeds contain folic acid – a vitamin that reduces gum inflammation.
SUGARLESS CHEWING GUMS
Chewing any food stimulates saliva production. In this regard, gums are the most recommended ones as they permit chewing for a longer duration. Since our saliva contains antibodies, it not only keeps the entire mouth hydrated, but also helps prevent tooth decay. The chewing gum only needs to be sugarless in order to affect your dental health positively. According to the ADA (American Dental Association), chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes can help prevent tooth decay. However, kids under the age of 4 should not be allowed to chew gums as they might run the risk of swallowing them.
EGGS
Eggs, especially the yolk of the eggs, again contain vitamin D, which helps in the absorption of calcium and phosphate. These minerals are needed to build and protect the tooth enamel. Therefore an egg a day might keep periodontal problems away.
VITAMIN C
Dentists often suggest that kids should wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing their teeth after having any citrus food or drink. That is because the citric acid in fruit can temporarily weaken the tooth enamel and leave the tooth vulnerable to slight erosion that is caused by brushing. Citrus foods (like oranges, limes, papaya, and strawberries) are however essential to kill certain bacteria and supply collagen for healthier gums.
There are several other foods that could have a positive impact on your growing baby’s dental health. Many of them are yet to yield proven results! For instance yogurt contains natural probiotic bacteria that are actually capable of fighting certain cavity-causing germs and prevent gingivitis as well. All you have to do is try out these foods and find out which are the ones your child easily adapts to.
What More?
Under the counseling of Dr John Welch, we provide high-quality dental treatments in a relaxing environment so that you always feel confident whenever you visit our dental office in Sioux City. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, feel free to reach us through our Contact Us page or call us at (712) 276-8432.
If you find this post helpful, do share it with your friends and social peers and help them know about the foods that promote good oral hygiene.
