OUR DIETS AFFECT EVERY PART of our bodies. Oral health can improve or deteriorate drastically based on the things we eat! Children who learn this early establish excellent oral care habits for life! Follow these tips to guide your child towards a mouth-healthy diet:
First, Cut Down On Sugar
Sugar has become far too big a part of our modern diets. In addition to making us sick and fat, it erodes our teeth! Avoid frequent snacking on sugary foods, especially things that are sticky or slow dissolving (like most candies). The constant presence of sugar turbocharges acid-producing bacteria, eating away at our tooth enamel. The biggest offenders are soda, sports drinks and energy drinks. What makes them especially dangerous is that we tend to sip them, coating teeth in sugar over and over again for long periods of time. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvM2bJQNnz0?rel=0&w=543&h=315]
Second, A Nutrient-Rich Diet Supports Oral Health
Our mouths require many different nutrients. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Calcium: remineralizes teeth – found in yogurt, fish and leafy greens
- Iron: promotes tongue health and prevents sores – found in red meat, grains and nuts
- Vitamin C: essential for gum health – found in citrus, sweet potatoes and peppers
- Vitamin A: accelerates mouth healing – found in milk, leafy greens and orange and yellow fruits and vegetables
- Vitamin B3 (niacin): promotes good breath and reduces swelling – found in poultry, peanuts and potatoes
Of course this isn’t a complete list, but it may give you an idea of the kind of balanced diet your child needs for good oral health. Be conscious of how you fuel your child’s body and mouth!
Third, Drink More Water
Overhauling our entire diets can be a significant undertaking. But here’s one easy thing we can all start doing today: drink more water! Drinking water helps wash away plaque-forming films and keeps saliva flowing.
Fourth, Oral Health Is Closely Linked To Overall Health
You might expect us to just say “keep your child away from candy,” but we believe our mission extends beyond that. Oral care is an integral part of overall health, and we’re here to support you and your child in your pursuit of total wellbeing.
