How a Nutritious Diet Can Improve Your Child’s Oral Health

Your kids certainly don’t want to be spending extra time in the dental chair this year in order to have their cavities filled. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take as a family to help keep your children’s oral health in check. In fact, their diet matters more when it comes to the wellbeing of their smile more than you may think. Continue reading to learn some tips that can help to keep your kids’ teeth strong.

More Fruits and Vegetables

While it is easy to grab a bag of chips or a box of crackers and serve it to your children as an after-school snack, this probably isn’t the best thing to do on a regular basis. Fruits and veggies make a much better treat after the end of a long day of learning. Contrary to many kids’ beliefs, they can be delicious as well! Try sliced apples, pears, and melons for a sweeter treat. For more savory snacks, carrots or celery dipped in hummus or another delicious dip will do the job. Avoid dried fruits, such as raisins, because they are sticky and contain lots of sugar.

Cut Out Sticky Foods

Even though they are tasty, it is best to save sticky treats like dried figs, granola bars, caramel, and taffy for occasions. Because they adhere to your teeth, it is difficult for saliva to wash them away. In the end, your child is more likely to end up with cavities in the near future. When they do decide to have one of these treats, they should brush their teeth afterwards.

Limit the Snacks

It isn’t the quantity of food being consumed that is an issue. It is the frequency of snacks that can cause trouble. When there is plenty of time left between snacks and meals, there is more time for saliva to do its job and wash away food particles so that they do not get feasted on by bacteria. This way, your child can avoid plaque and cavities.

Save Sweets for Meals

Everyone likes to have a sugary sweet now and again, especially children. When this time does come, it is best that they enjoy this treat with a meal. This is because there is an increase in the amount of saliva while a meal is being eaten. This makes it easier to control the acidity level in the mouth and reduce damage to the enamel.

Drink Plenty of Water

Juice and soda are delicious, but they contain lots of sugar which is damaging to the enamel. These beverages should be left for special occasions and be enjoyed with a straw. In most situations, water is the best thing for your kids to quench their thirst with.

Cheesy Snacks

There’s still some good news for you and your kids! Cheese is an excellent source of calcium, so it is great when it comes to keeping bones and teeth strong. If your family is looking for the perfect appetizer to have before dinner, a cheese board is an excellent choice. Consider cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, or other aged cheeses.

Your children’s oral health shouldn’t suffer. By using these tips, they can keep their smiles healthy, and most importantly – happy!

About the Author

Dr. Marco Caballeros earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry and has been working in the field for over a decade. He is proud to have completed his Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Caballeros is also a member of the American Dental Association, North Texas Hispanic Dental Association, and the Dallas Country Dental Association. For more ways to keep your children’s smiles healthy or to schedule an appointment for them at his office in Frisco, visit his website or call (469) 476-4092.