A Kid’s Guide to a Dental Friendly Diet

You only get two sets of teeth. If you take care of your teeth, it’s possible to keep them throughout your entire lifetime. However, if you don’t care for your teeth properly, you may have problems right away and later in life. People can care for their teeth in several ways. One important thing to do is to see your dentist for regular dental care. Your dentist will tell you how often to make appointments, and you should follow this recommendation. The other important thing you can do for good dental health is to watch the foods you eat. Some foods are good for your teeth, and some foods are not good for your teeth.

What Is Oral Hygiene?

Oral hygiene is all about taking care of your teeth to keep them healthy and strong. Healthy teeth will be so strong that they resist tooth decay. This means that you won’t get a lot of cavities. Brush your teeth at least two times each day using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Make sure that you brush for at least two minutes every time you brush for the best cleaning. It’s also important to floss your teeth every day to clean out the plaque from between your teeth. Good oral hygiene also involves seeing your dentist regularly. Another important aspect of good oral hygiene is protecting your mouth from injuries. If you participate in a sport that could result in a mouth injury, wear a mouth guard while you play. A mouth guard can protect your lips, teeth, and tongue from serious injuries. If you have braces, it’s very important to follow your dentist’s and orthodontist’s instructions for appointments, tooth care, and the foods you eat.

Foods for Strong Teeth

You probably know that the foods you eat are important for keeping your body strong and healthy. Foods are also important for keeping your teeth healthy. Eating lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, and lean proteins is important for your whole body, including your teeth. Some foods are especially good for your dental health. Leafy greens such as kale and spinach have a lot of calcium, which helps make strong enamel on your teeth. Greens also contain folic acid, which might help keep your gums healthier. Apples are naturally sweet, and they also contain lots of fiber. Crunching on an apple helps get rid of bacteria in your mouth. Apples also help keep your gums healthy. Carrots and celery are crunchy, which helps with bacteria levels in your mouth. These vegetables also contain vitamins and fiber, which your body needs for good health. Even cheese has some important benefits for the mouth. Eating cheese causes your mouth to make extra saliva, and the saliva helps fight tooth decay. Other dairy products, such as yogurt and milk, contain lots of protein as well as calcium, which helps make your bones and teeth strong.

Foods to Avoid

As you focus on eating healthy foods for strong teeth, pay attention to some foods that you should avoid. Sweet foods might taste delicious, but these foods often aren’t good for your body and teeth. Drinks with lots of sugar can be very bad for your teeth. The sugars in these drinks make a coating around your teeth, which can cause cavities. Even drinks with sugar-free ingredients can cover your teeth with acids that will cause tooth decay. Other foods such as cookies, cake, and candy can also cause cavities. Chewy candies can be especially bad because these foods often stick around and in between your teeth. Even starchy foods like bread, cereal, and crackers can be bad for teeth if you eat them without brushing or at least rinsing your mouth after eating. Any time foods stay around your teeth, they can lead to plaque developing, which often leads to decay and gum problems. When you do eat these foods on occasion, make sure you brush as soon as possible after eating.

• Dental Hygiene
• Children’s Dental Health (PDF)
• Smile Smarts (PDF)
• Infant and Children’s Oral Health: Middle Childhood and Adolescence
• Good Nutrition for Good Dental Health (PDF)
• Tooth Tutor (PDF)
• Back-to-School Tips for Healthy Teeth
• The Tooth Decay Process: How to Reverse it and Avoid a Cavity
• Healthy Teeth and Your Child’s Diet
• A Guide to Children’s Dental Health (PDF)
• The Best and Worst Foods for Your Teeth
• Anatomy and Development of Mouth and Teeth
• Back to School: How to Encourage Healthy Dental Habits Away From Home
• Preventing Zombie Mouth

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