Healthy foods help healthy smiles.

Did you know that a healthy overall diet can help keep your child’s smile healthy? Just like a well-balanced diet can help your child stay healthy, there are certain foods rich in vitamins and minerals that can help keep your child’s dental health on track too. This is why the entire team at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dental in Vancouver, Washington, encourages your child to eat a healthy diet and keep up with their daily oral habits to help keep their smile glowing.

Foods That Support Dental Health

With so many food choices out there, how can you keep track of what is or isn’t good for your child’s health? Fruits and vegetables are always good choices, but their body also needs protein to help keep it healthy. Here are some smart choices for a healthy, balanced diet:

• Dairy products: Dairy items are rich in calcium, which is great for strong bones and tooth enamel. Pick low-fat dairy choices, like cheese and yogurt, and don’t forget that a glass of milk a day helps grow strong bodies!
• Leafy greens: Dark-colored leafy greens hold a wealth of vitamins and minerals in them. Look to add a side of kale or spinach to complete a well-rounded meal, or use these dark, leafy greens as a base for a smoothie that is rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Crunchy vegetables and fruits: Besides being rich in vitamins and minerals, crunchy vegetables and fruits, like apples, carrots, and celery, have their own little secret: they are nature’s toothbrush! These crunchy choices are fibrous in nature, which helps sweep away food particles as your child chews them. The extra chewing also stimulates saliva production, which helps balance the pH of their mouth.
• Protein: Lean protein is great for a balanced diet, but did you know that protein helps promote good gum health? If your child is experiencing gum issues, have them fill up on eggs, nuts, and lean meats, like white fish and poultry. Beans and legumes are also great inexpensive choices to fill up on protein.

If your child has allergies or if you have concerns about your child’s overall diet, make sure you speak with their pediatrician so they can offer some suggestions for smart and healthy eating options.

Foods to Limit

Just like there are good foods to eat, there are also foods that shouldn’t be consumed all the time.

While we all may have a bit of a sweet tooth, any food high in sugar, like candy and sodas, should be limited. That is because your mouth converts the sugars and starches into a sticky substance that can leave a film on your teeth. If that sticky film isn’t brushed away adequately, it can turn into plaque and tartar, which can eat away at your teeth and create cavities. Once the plaque turns into tartar, the only way it can be removed is with a professional dental cleaning at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dental.

Other foods to avoid are those that are highly acidic, like citrus fruits and juices. Too much acid in your mouth can eat away at the enamel of your teeth, making your teeth weaker and more susceptible to erosion and cavities.

This doesn’t mean you can’t have sugary or acidic foods, but you should take caution when consuming them. If you can’t brush your teeth right after consuming them, consider drinking water to help swish away some of the acid and sugar that might be in your mouth. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help with saliva production, which will help balance the pH in your mouth.

Encourage healthy eating habits.

One of the best ways to encourage your children to eat healthy is by example. Make sure you are eating healthy, balanced meals yourself and involve your kids when shopping for healthy snacks. A fun family activity is visiting a farmers’ market and picking our fresh produce together. Many children are drawn to bright, colorful items, so you could introduce them to something like rainbow carrots or bell peppers as healthy snack options. And if you are looking for easy healthy snacks to make at home, check out these recipes!

Visit Must Love Kids to keep smiles healthy!

It’s recommended that your child makes a visit to Vancouver’s Must Love Kids Pediatric Dental at least twice a year to ensure optimal dental health. During these dental checkups, Dr. Mo and Dr. G will check your child’s entire mouth to make sure there are no hidden dental dangers, like cavities. Book your appointment today to get on track with a healthy dental health routine.