There are plenty of foods that aren’t the best choice when it comes to oral health, such as sticky or sugary foods. However, there are plenty of foods that offer a wide variety of benefits and are actually beneficial for your child to eat.
Food has the power to strengthen teeth and keep the mouth healthy. Following are some foods to incorporate into your child’s lunches to promote tooth health!
Cheese
While cheese has many health benefits including being a great source of protein, it’s also healthy for your teeth! It raises the pH levels in your mouth, which in turn, lowers the risk of tooth decay. Chewing also increases saliva production, and lots of chewing is involved when it comes to eating cheese.
It also has a good amount of protein and calcium, which are two nutrients that are essential to strengthening tooth enamel. This makes it a great snack to have throughout the day or to finish off a meal before bedtime.
Leafy Greens
Greens are an essential part of any diet. They’re full of vitamins and minerals vital for growth, and are also great for oral health! The vitamins and minerals help strengthen teeth, and greens are also very high in calcium, which builds enamel. Leafy greens are considered superfoods, and can help fight cavity-causing bacteria.
If your child doesn’t enjoy eating them alone, try throwing some on a pizza or adding some spinach to a berry smoothie.
Apples
Sugar in general is bad for teeth, including the sugar in fruits. However, apples are typically an exception to the rule. While apples have a lot of natural sugar, they also have plenty of water and fiber. The texture of the apple stimulates gum tissue, which in turn protects the mouth.
Eating apples also helps with saliva production, which is necessary to clean away food particles and bacteria naturally.
While apples are certainly no substitute for brushing your teeth, they do a great job at cleaning your mouth. Packing an apple for your child to have as a snack or to finish off their lunch is a great way to keep their teeth clean during the daytime.
Yogurt
Since yogurt is a dairy product, just like cheese, it’s also full of calcium and protein, which strengthen the teeth. Probiotics in yogurt also promote healthy gums; the good bacteria from the yogurt will overpower the bad bacteria that can lead to cavities.
However, when picking the right yogurt for your child, make sure to pay attention to the ingredients. Opt for yogurt that doesn’t have a lot of added sugars or artificial colors and flavorings.
Carrots
Crunchy textures help contribute to saliva production, so carrots are the perfect food to crunch on to wash away harmful bacteria. They’re also full of fiber, which decreases the risk of cavities. If your child doesn’t like eating carrots alone, pack their favorite dip to go with it.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Making sure your child keeps up with their oral health is easy when you partner with Rio Dental & Orthodontics! Our board-certified pediatric dentists in Irving, TX, understand what children need to establish a healthy oral care routine. Our dental clinic offers a wide variety of dental treatments, from preventative care to restorative dentistry to cosmetic dentistry and more.
At your child’s bi-annual appointments, we give you all the necessary tools and information to keep up great oral habits at home. To schedule an appointment with our pediatric dental specialists today, give any of our four dental offices in Texas a call!
