At any age, diet is vital to an individual’s overall health. An individual’s diet impacts their physical, mental, and dental health. For example, sugary foods are going to be more damaging to the body and the teeth, while foods like meats and vegetables are not going to be as harmful. Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry in Alexandria thinks it is essential to instill healthy eating and dental hygiene habits at an early age.
Let’s review the benefits of healthy foods for pediatric oral health:
- Healthy, non-sugary foods can help strengthen the enamel and gums
- Healthier foods do not create as much plaque on the teeth
- Good eating habits can last a lifetime and benefit more than just oral health
- Avoiding hard or sticky foods that impact teeth can prevent tooth damage
Foods to avoid or limit:
- Popcorn (unpopped kernels can break teeth)
- Candy
- Too much fruit (some fruits have a lot of sugar that can be damaging to the teeth)
- Gummy, sticky foods like raisins and fruit snacks
- Starchy foods
- Carbonated drinks
- Excessive acidic foods, condiments, and beverages
Foods that can be beneficial for a child’s oral health:
- Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables (acidic fruits in moderation)
- Foods with fluoride (oatmeal, legumes, fluoride-adjusted municipal water, carrots, spinach, potatoes, white rice, asparagus)
- Sugar-free gum or gum with fluoride
- Calcium-rich dairy products
Healthy habits to teach your child:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time
- Floss your teeth once a day
- Make sugary foods a treat, not a normal
- Only drink juice with meals
Creating a habit of eating unhealthy or sugary foods can lead to a higher risk of tooth decay and other oral complications, so it is extremely important to solidify healthy habits at an early age.
Teaching your son or daughter to brush their teeth after meals, floss daily, and avoid sugary foods are vital habits. Your child’s diet influences oral, physical, and mental health more than you probably realize, so it is critical to teach healthy dietary habits from an early age.
Contact Mt. Vernon Center For Dentistry:
703-360-5881
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
8101 Hinson Farm Rd Ste 114
Alexandria, Virginia
22306