Nutrition for Healthy Teeth

Aside from brushing regularly, your kid’s diet plays a major role in his overall dental health. Your child’s dietary needs vary as they go through different stages of growth, but one thing is for sure: foods that are nourishing to the body are excellent for the teeth!

Below are some tips from your local Pediatricians in Dallas to ensure your children get the right nutrition for healthy teeth.

1. Balanced diet – a balanced diet that is rich in Vitamin D and calcium should provide adequate nutrients to keep the mouth tissues and gums healthy and build strong teeth. Children can get their dose of regular calcium from 3-4 servings of dairy and other sources like green vegetables or a calcium-fortified drink.
2. Fluoride – Fluoride helps make the enamel harder and helps reduce dental decay. It also reduces the ability of bacteria to create acid that erodes dental enamel. In areas where the water supplies are not fluoridated or the fluoride content of the water is low, your dentist or pediatrician may advise fluoride toothpaste or fluoride supplements to strengthen your kid’s enamel. However, be advised that there are times when too much of a good thing is not good, as one of the complications of too much fluoride is dental fluorosis. To avoid this, use very little fluoridated toothpaste before 2 years of age. For older kids, use only a pea-sized amount.
3. Sugar – Sugar is a big culprit. The more frequent the tooth is exposed to it, the bigger the risk of cavities. All sugars cause tooth decay because it promotes the growth of mouth bacteria that produce acid. Be sure to brush your child’s teeth right after eating sugary food. Also, do not allow your kids to have any sugary drink in a sippy cup for long periods of time.

Stock up on low-sugar, low-fat products at home. Eventually, your child will get used to healthy foods, which will make him less susceptible to the temptation of eating greasy, salty or sugary ones. If you need more useful advice on how to keep your child’s pearly whites in tip-top shape, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local pediatricians in Dallas at PAD!