Developing healthy children’s teeth is not only crucial for oral health, but your child’s’ health in general. As you teach your child the importance of brushing teeth twice a day and flossing daily, you need to take a peek inside your child’s inbox. The secret to healthy teeth is a combination of eating a healthy diet and the basics of dental hygiene: brushing and flossing.
Diet and Children’s Oral Health
Diet has a significant impact on their teeth, too many carbohydrates, sugar ( from a cake, cookies, candies, milk, and sugary beverages), and starches (pretzels and potato chips) can cause tooth decay. The main issue with carbohydrates is the amount of time the carbohydrates remain on the teeth. As soon as your child has eaten a carb, make sure to rinse or brush their teeth to remove any food particles from teeth and gum line.
Teach your child to make healthy food choices.
The first thing to learn about is the importance of eating the right vitamins and minerals that your child’s’ body needs to promote healthy teeth, gums, and bones.
Seven vitamins and minerals to include in your families’ diet.
Calcium:
Calcium makes the jaw bone healthy and helps harden your enamel. Sources of Calcium: milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, and salmon.
Vitamin D:
Vitamin D allows our bodies to absorb calcium while boosting bone mineral density. Sources of Vitamin D: When your skin is exposed to sunlight, your body naturally makes vitamin D. Other sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, canned tuna, and portobello mushrooms. Another great way to supplement vitamin D intake is to eat foods and drinks fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, orange juice, and cereal.
Potassium
Potassium increases bone mineral density and combines with magnesium to inhibit blood from becoming too acidic, preventing the leaching of calcium from your bones and teeth. Sources of Potassium: Bananas are excellent sources of potassium along with lima beans, tomatoes, Swiss chard, potatoes, sweet potatoes, avocados, and prunes.
Phosphorus:
Phosphorus is an essential mineral because it assists calcium in building healthy bones and teeth. Sources of Phosphorus: Phosphorus is in an extensive range of foods such as scallops, sardines, cod, shrimp, tuna, and salmon. There are plant-based options as well, such as soybeans, lentils, and pumpkin seeds. Other options include beef, pork, and cheese.
Vitamin K:
Vitamin K helps protect your bones from osteoporosis and aids in the production of the bone-strengthening protein osteocalcin. Sources of Vitamin K: Leafy greens like kale, collards, and spinach, parsley, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts are excellent sources.
Vitamin C:
Vitamin C helps support the entire body’s immune system and protects against gingivitis, and is needed for the formation of blood vessels to support your gums and teeth. Sources of Vitamin C: Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, and so are brussels sprouts, spinach, potatoes, and leafy greens.
Vitamin A:
The building blocks of healthy teeth enamel is the protein keratin that uses Vitamin A in its formation process. Vitamin A maintains healthy saliva flow and keeps mucous membranes healthy. Preventing dry mouth is essential in protecting tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Sources of Vitamin A: Fish, egg yolks, liver, spinach, kale, collard greens, oranges, apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potatoes.