The things your children eat or drink and how they consume it significantly impact their dental health. You might be surprised at what you find on the list of good and bad foods. The acid found in certain foods and the one produced by sugar-eating bacteria eat away at the tooth’s protective enamel. Your child’s best friend are the ones that either rinse or neutralize acids and provide nutrients that repair the destroyed enamel. Allow Dr. Brodie Bowman and his team to help you and your child every step of the way.
The Good
Water
Water is the principal ingredient in saliva, and drinking it gives children healthy teeth and gums. It can work as the final rinse after eating sugary foods and drinks. Moreover, the fluoride in water helps to strengthen the tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay.
Nuts
Nuts have a variety of vitamins and minerals that are good for your child’s teeth. Cashews stimulate saliva and clean teeth; peanuts have Vitamin D and calcium; almonds have calcium; walnuts have magnesium, iron, thiamine, folic acid, niacin, zinc, potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin E.
Cocoa, tea, coffee
The polyphenols in green and black tea kill or suppress the bacteria that produce harmful acid. Cocoa has anti-mutans streptococci properties that are good for the teeth, but sweet chocolates are not recommended.
The Bad
Carbonated drinks
The sugar content in soft drinks is bad for your child’s teeth. Diet drinks are not an exception since they contain phosphoric and citric acids. Canned ice teas should be avoided as well since their flavor-enhancing acids can erode tooth enamel.
Dried fruits
Plums and grapes are deprived of their health benefits when dried because their sugars become highly concentrated. The gummy texture can cling to teeth and bind sugars around the teeth.
Starchy foods
They are not necessarily sugared, but the enzymes in the saliva usually convert them to sugars. If they stick between teeth, tooth-decaying bacteria can readily work on them. Help your children brush their teeth after every meal.
High-acid foods and drinks
Oranges and lemons should be eaten quickly as part of a meal and the mouth rinsed afterward. The citric acid in these fruits are good for the body but can affect your children’s teeth.
Early intervention in dental health is critical. Contact us today at the office of Brodie Bowman, DMD to book an appointment for your child in Fort Walton Beach or Niceville.