Taking care of your own teeth starts at a young age. One way to teach your kids that is to teach them the importance of having good nutrition. Not only is it good for their muscles and bones, but it also helps their teeth and gums. What they consume in their early childhood can determine how prone they would be to cavities or gum diseases.

To get them in the habit of prioritizing their nutrition, here are some simple food-related tips any kid can use for their teeth.

Eat More Fruits And Veggies

Even if your kid’s a picky eater, they need to eat fruits and vegetables. Most of these types of foods are rich in vitamins that can strengthen their teeth and gums. Try to explore options and find out what they like, since there’s a wide array to choose from. There has to be something your child will like between an apple, orange, and pear. 

Maybe they have a preferred way of how the vegetables are cooked. Some children won’t like plain tomatoes, but they would like it in soup form. You can also get the kids involved during prep time for a bonding experience.

Avoid Too Much Sugar

While fruits and veggies strengthen the immunity of your children’s mouth, sweets give the opposite effect. They’re notorious for causing tooth pain and tooth decay. Although cakes and ice cream can be lovely to have, you should teach the kids that these sweets are only good in moderation and that they should regulate their sugar intake.

However, sweets aren’t the only sugary things. There’s a lot of hidden sugar in other types of food and beverages as well, such as soft drinks and pasta sauce. Research what snacks have minimal sugar and buy that alternative instead.

Drink a Lot of Milk

Do you remember those cartoons that portray milk as the ultimate drink that makes anyone strong? They weren’t lying; the calcium in milk helps strengthen muscle development, bone structure, and teeth enamel. It’s ideal to drink a glass of milk every day.

Kids who are lactose intolerant can still get calcium from other sources. For drinks, orange juice has both vitamin C and milk. Certain vegetables like Brussels sprouts and broccoli also contain calcium, though you might need to be a little more convincing.

Snack Smartly

People in their childhood always snack a lot in between meals. Most snacks contain a lot of sugar and can be bad for their teeth if they take too much. Show your child it’s important to have a little self-control and set up a snack plan for them. 

Allow them to open their favourite pop tart every now and then, but there should also be days when they can only have some grapes. Teach them to brush their teeth after their little snacking sessions, too. It’s important to develop a habit of brushing their teeth after eating some food.

Conclusion

Being able to maintain white and strong teeth can also help kids achieve excellent physical health. Get the children involved and pick the meals. You can be surprised at how smart and curious they can be in your mini discussions!

Looking for dentists in South Edmonton? Edmonton Smiles is a clinic that provides emergency dental and preventive services that will ensure the protection of your whole family’s smiles. Schedule an appointment today!

Posted in Dental News & Advice