We tell our children that good nutrition is important to having a healthy body, but did you know that besides chewing their food, many foods actually help their teeth grow healthy and strong too? Dr. Allie Miller of Pediatric Dentistry of Winter Park in Winter Park FL wants you to know what foods will help your kids build and strengthen their teeth. Our teeth need nutrients to grow just like the rest of our bones, so including these foods in their diet will keep their smiles healthy and bright. Plus: they’re delicious, too!
Cheese
Cheese, like milk and other dairy products, is rich in calcium, which promotes healthy bones. Our bodies use calcium to help strengthen our bones and build tooth enamel which is important for children who are growing new teeth. Because our bodies can’t produce their own calcium — we get it by eating and drinking it — and we use it quickly, be sure to give your kids some cheese to snack on to make sure they’re getting enough calcium in their diets.
Apples
Eating too many carbohydrates, starches, and sugary foods like cookies, chips and donuts can damage tooth enamel due to bacteria in our mouths feeding on them. To satisfy their sweet tooth, give them an apple instead. Apples are rich in vitamin C, which helps reduce inflammation which is good for gum health. Other vitamin C rich foods include oranges, strawberries, broccoli and peppers.
Fish
Even if your children eat plenty of calcium every day, the human body can’t absorb it without Vitamin D. Eating foods rich in vitamin D, such as tuna, helps your body absorb calcium to help build those strong teeth and bones. Another excellent source of vitamin D is readily abundant and free: the sun! Sending them outside for plenty of fresh air and sun does wonders for skin, hair, nails, teeth, and more! Just make sure to apply sunscreen first!
Oatmeal
Whole grains lower the risk of gum disease and they also can improve heart and digestive health. Eating oatmeal for breakfast, as part of a healthy diet, can help your gums stay healthy too. Special note to parents though: most pre-packaged flavored oatmeal packets are loaded with added sugar which feeds the bacteria that break down their enamel. To keep the amount of sugar in their oatmeal low, try making your own plain oatmeal and adding in some berries or cinnamon to make it sweeter.
Children’s Dental Care in Winter Park, FL
Eating these tasty, healthy foods can not only improve their dental health, but they’re great for their entire body. And getting them in the habit of eating healthy now can help them form habits that will keep them healthy for years to come. In addition to a healthy diet, taking them to dental examinations every 6 months as recommended by the American Dental Association will make sure those teeth are growing in healthy and strong.
If you are in the Winter Park, FL area and have any concerns about your child’s dental health or they just need a regular cleaning, call (407) 434-0267 or schedule an appointment for your child with Dr. Allie online today!