Nowadays it is very easy to allow your kids to indulge in foods that, while delicious, can have some dire consequences on their teeth and gums. Cavities, gingivitis and enamel erosion are a few of the most common problems they can face, but luckily there are a wide range of foods that are equally delicious and will help promote healthy eating habits for your kids.
The first one is more of a drink as opposed to a food but drinking a cup or two of green or black tea a day can help reduce inflammation, bacteria, and helps increase the strength of your gums. Making it an iced drink will make it more appealing and can replace the other sugary cold drinks that are on the market. Drinks like soda, flavored water and juices cause enamel erosion, staining, and cavities. If you do allow your kids to consume these drinks follow it with a glass of water. Among all the other important benefits of water, it can also wash some of the sugar from their teeth and lessen the damaging effects until they brush them properly. Having them drink a glass of milk after consuming something sweet can also help reduce the amount of acid in their mouth (in some studies it worked better than drinking water right after eating).
You know the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well, there is some truth to it. Foods like apples, carrots, and celery also have a cleansing effect on teeth. In addition to causing the mouth to produce saliva that will help in digestion, these foods effectively scrub teeth reducing the amount of plaque buildup. Eating bread or other starches can also help prevent enamel erosion, it forms a slight protective barrier by getting in between teeth and coating them and by doing this it can help prevent more harmful bacteria from accumulating.
Enamel is one of the most important aspects of your teeth; without it, your teeth become more sensitive to heat and cold. If enamel erodes it can make it painful to bite into anything. Foods rich in calcium and other minerals can help restore lost enamel (in a process called remineralization). Foods that are good for remineralization are cheese and yogurt (high in calcium), broccoli, (vitamin D) bok-choy, meat, fish, tofu and mushrooms. Foods that are high in sugar and acidic foods erode enamel down. Fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are highly acidic and while they have a variety of health benefits it is better for your teeth if they are eaten as part of a meal as opposed to on their own.
Promoting healthy eating habits for your kids can be mutually beneficial for their teeth. There is a fine balance between allowing them to eat what they love and ensuring they are eating what is healthy for their teeth. Your kids should enjoy their favorite foods but you have to keep in mind that allowing them to eat or drink too much of something can have consequences.