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You are what you eat—remember that old saying? While none of us are walking hamburgers, what we eat directly correlates with our overall health. Building strong teeth doesn’t just come from brushing and flossing; you have to eat well too!
Water. While not technically a food, water can help swish out bacteria, and helps create saliva. If you drink tap water with fluoride in it, you will get extra cavity protection while you hydrate. Instead of sugary fruit juices, serve your kids a glass of water. Even juices with no sweeteners added still have naturally occurring sugars which can decay teeth.
Fruits and vegetables. This obvious choice is what most of us should be eating more of for our entire well-being. You might have heard that apples are nature’s toothbrush, that’s because those crunchy, water-dense fruits help clean teeth and stimulate saliva production. Beware of dried fruits, however; these sticky treats often have a higher concentration of sugar and stick to your teeth.
Cheese! This dairy product not only contains calcium to help build strong bones, it also has low sugars and an ingredient called casein. This fortifying protein helps protect your teeth and ward off cavities by creating new minerals to replenish areas damaged by acid. Yogurt and other healthy dairy products can also have the same effect as cheese.
Nuts. Your child may not like the taste of peanuts, almonds, or cashews right away, but if they come around, these nutrient-dense foods could help their teeth. Many nuts are high in calcium, stimulate saliva, and help clean teeth, alongside their other benefits.
Cutting down on sweets is necessary for healthy children, especially if they don’t want to head to the dentist office every few months. Make sure that sugary treats are eaten with meals, so that they can be rinsed out with water or milk, and won’t be sitting on their teeth all day.
