From permanent tooth alignment to gum wellness to lifelong dental habits, your child’s nutrition affects their oral health in many ways. Because the food you eat changes the acid levels and bacteria in your mouth, your diet is just as important as brushing and flossing your teeth. By eating healthy, children can avoid cavities and infections, build strong tooth enamel, and maintain healthy saliva and strong gum tissue. 

At Jenson Dental, we commit to providing our patients with a comfortable experience in the office and with the right knowledge of dental care to practice at home. With Dr. Jenson and a team of dedicated professionals, you can smile confidently with the best care available. Read more to learn about why nutrition is important for your child’s dental health. 

Why Nutrition Matters

Your kids may roll their eyes when they hear the phrase, “you are what you eat,” but it turns out that it’s true. The food you eat not only fuels your body, but also becomes the building blocks for cellular growth. The tooth’s enamel is strengthened by eating food with calcium, phosphorus, fluoride, and vitamin D, while foods with vitamin A and vitamin C promote saliva production and strong gum tissues.

Children who eat foods with leafy greens, whole grains, hardy vegetables and starches, low-fat proteins, and a variety of legumes have strong teeth and healthy gums, while kids who tend to consume more highly processed foods, acidic drinks, and sugary candy risk the growth of harmful bacteria and cavities. Without the proper nutrition, the enamel on a child’s teeth can become weak, and they are more likely to develop cavities and gum infections. 

What Foods To Avoid For Cavity Prevention 

Most everybody enjoys sugary treats and drinks, especially young children. While having tasty snacks and desserts adds to an exciting and memorable childhood, it’s important to monitor your kids’ sugar intake to ensure that they are maintaining healthy teeth. Try to avoid letting your children overconsume these kinds of foods:

• Sugary Drinks: Lemonade, fruit punch, grape juice, apple juice, milkshakes, smoothies, and sodas.
• Sugary Foods: Cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, donuts, marshmallows, and fruit snacks. 
• Candy: Chocolates, gummies, suckers, taffy, caramels, hard candies, and chewy candies.
• Acidic Foods: Citrus fruits like grapefruit, lemon, and limes, tomato products, pickled foods, and carbonated beverages. 
• Sticky Foods: Jelly beans, honey, thick jams, syrup, and sugared raisins. 
• Highly Processed Carbohydrates: White flour, chips, sugary pasta noodles.

Important Nutrients For Healthy Teeth

If you are focused on your child’s nutrition and health, they’ll most likely get all of the vitamins and minerals that they need to maintain strong teeth and a clean mouth, but it’s good to know where exactly those vitamins are coming from.

• Vitamins C and A: While vitamin C helps to reduce inflammation and infection by strengthening gum tissues, vitamin A promotes saliva production that clears away food and bacteria. Both of these vitamins can be found in bell peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, kale, and spinach.
• Fluoride: A mineral that bonds with your enamel and helps to replace lost minerals like calcium or phosphorus, can be found in foods that absorb it from the soil they grow in, like potatoes, grapes, and grains. Most of your fluoride intake will come from tap water or dental hygiene products like toothpaste. 
• Calcium: An essential mineral found in leafy greens, tofu, nuts and seeds, and dairy products, builds and strengthens your enamel. 
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps the body to property abosry calcium. Although vitamin D can be found in any UV-exposed fungi or animal product, it’s most often absorbed through sunlight on the skin. Vitamin D supplements are common for children because they often do not meet the recommended nutritional intake.
• Phosphorus: Phosphorus combines with calcium to form your tooth’s enamel. This mineral is found in many foods such as legumes, grains, dairy products, nuts, seeds, and meats. 

Establishing Habits That Last

If a child grows up eating healthy foods and obtaining the proper nutrition, they not only develop stronger teeth and fortified gums, but they also form better eating and hygiene habits that they take into adulthood. By starting these habits early, your family can avoid dental pain and procedures like fillings, tooth removal, or root canals. Teach your child about the benefits of brushing, flossing, and healthy eating.

Dental Services From Jenson Dental

Even with the most responsible tooth brushing, flossing, and healthy diets, cavities aren’t 100% avoidable. Genetics, saliva acidity, and tooth alignment can all contribute to the chance of cavities. Luckily, you don’t have to deal with cavities, sensitive teeth, or gum infections alone. From teeth cleaning to implants, Jenson Dental has the solution for any dental service you may need. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment today!