Your Child’s Diet & Teeth
Empty-calorie foods such as candy (especially hard or sticky candies), sweets like cookies, cakes, and muffins, and snack foods like chips are a cause for dental concern. Not only do they offer no nutritional value, but the amount and type of sugar they contain can adhere to teeth. The bacteria in your mouth feed off these sugars, releasing acids, and that’s what leads to tooth decay.
Sugar-containing drinks—soda, lemonade, juice, and sweetened coffee or tea (iced or hot)—are particularly harmful because sipping them causes a constant sugar bath over teeth, which promotes tooth decay.
Nutritious, acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits can have a harmful effect on tooth enamel. Eat acidic foods as part of a meal, not by themselves. Dried fruits, including raisins, are also good choices for a healthy diet, but since they are sticky and adhere to teeth, the plaque acids they produce continue to harm teeth long after you stop eating them. Opt for a piece of fresh fruit instead.
Foods That May Benefit Dental Health
Certain foods may benefit tooth health thanks to their high amounts of calcium and other nutrients they provide:
- Dairy products: Cheese, milk, and plain yogurt
- Calcium-fortified foods: Tofu and leafy greens
- Nuts: Almonds
- Protein-rich foods: Meat, poultry, fish, milk, and eggs
Both calcium and phosphorus play a critical role in dental health by protecting and rebuilding tooth enamel.
Fruits and vegetables are good choices for a healthy smile since they are high in water and fiber, which balance the sugars they contain and help to clean the teeth. These foods also help stimulate saliva production, which washes harmful acids and food particles away from teeth and helps neutralize acid, protecting teeth from decay. Plus, many contain:
- Vitamin C: Important for healthy gums and quick healing of wounds
- Vitamin A: Another key nutrient in building tooth enamel
Hands down, water—particularly fluoridated water—is the most tooth-friendly beverage.
