A healthy diet promotes strong teeth in children, and you can protect your child’s teeth from decay by encouraging a healthy diet. You can directly correlate your long-term dental health with the types of foods you eat. Our diet plays a crucial role in maintaining our oral health as part of preventative dentistry. In contrast, fast food options can sometimes be a cheaper alternative, or low incomes can lead to less nutritious food options. It’s important, however, to make an effort to eat healthier because while that chocolate bar tastes good, it isn’t good for your teeth.
Maintaining Healthy Smiles With Healthy Foods
The human body is an incredible machine because of its ability to fight off infections and diseases, and poor nutrition only compromises this capability. Several studies demonstrate the beneficial effects of diets on oral health, including the prevention of cavities and gum disease. Our mouths provide many clues as to the health of our bodies and can serve as an open door to our overall well-being. More accurately, they serve as a gateway for bacteria strains such as streptococcus mutans to enter our mouths, form plaque, and infect our gums and teeth. When this is combined with poor oral hygiene, your teeth are in serious trouble.
Healthy diets are great because they can be started at any time and will always provide benefits. Here are some tips for eating healthy:
- To maintain a healthy mouth, eat lean proteins, leafy greens, crunchy vegetables, and fibrous fruits to strengthen tooth enamel, remove bacteria, promote saliva flow, and provide calcium, fiber, and vitamin D.
- Sugary drinks and snacks should be avoided: Juices, gummy candies, desserts, and acidic drinks often contain high amounts of sugar, which allows bacteria to form plaque in the mouth.
- Drink plenty of water: Water aids in the removal of harmful bacteria and food particles from the mouth and stimulates saliva flow.
- Be sure to reinforce good oral hygiene habits with your children, such as brushing and flossing daily.
- It can be beneficial to chew sugarless gum. Gums containing xylitol can neutralize mouth acids and decrease bacteria.
With a well-balanced diet and good brushing habits, your child’s teeth will be sparkling clean and strong in no time. For more information about your child’s diet and oral health, please contact our kids’ dental and orthodontic office to schedule an appointment.
