Healthy Teeth Foods for Kids

No matter the time of year, your kids’ teeth experience a barrage of acids, decay and wear from the foods they eat. Some of the worst foods for their teeth are in your pantry right now. So what are these damaging foods? Better yet, what are some healthy teeth foods for kids?

Your Child’s Smile and Bite, Under Attack

Your child’s smile is critical for self-confidence, socialization, and well-being. Their smile also means having healthy teeth and gums for eating, some of which is taken care of by family dentistry. But what your child eats each day affects his or her teeth. It is ironic that what they eat makes them healthy, but what they eat can also lead to problems with dental wellness.

By eating too many sugars, starches, and carbohydrates, cavity production goes into high gear in your child’s mouth. So you should limit their intake of cakes, cookies, candy, soda, chips, and bread. These all contain sugars, starches, and carbohydrates that remain on teeth to cause tooth decay.

Another source of problems for your child’s teeth is sticky or chewy food. Saliva does not easily wash these sugars away, promoting tooth decay. So help your children avoid raisins, granola bars, dried figs, peanut butter cookies, caramel, and oatmeal. Also avoid jelly beans, honey, syrup, and molasses.

Anytime your child eats these foods not included on a list for healthy teeth foods for kids, encourage them to brush their teeth. Brushing their teeth after snacking or meals removes the threat of sugars, carbohydrates, and starches.

Healthy Teeth Foods for Kids

Naturally, there are bad foods for kids and some good ones, too. These foods include mostly fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy. Still, you must help your children remember to brush their teeth after eating. Healthy teeth foods for kids include:

• Fruits and vegetables for snacks
• Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, and other aged cheeses
• Sugary treats only served with meals as dessert when saliva flow peaks
• Pears, melons, cucumbers, and celery
• Sugar-free and unsweetened snacks
• Tap or fluoridated water instead of soda or juices
• Yogurt, broccoli, and milk at mealtime for calcium

Other Tips for Your Child’s Best Smile and Bite

No one smiles if they have bad teeth. You want to hide your smile and eating becomes uncomfortable or even painful. By teaching your children about healthy teeth and good oral hygiene, you give them a head start for a lifetime of big smiles and enjoyable eating.

Of course, no one can ensure their best smile alone. You need a good dentist’s help. Some of the most essential dental services for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums include:

• General dentistry
• Restorative dentistry
• Preventive dentistry
• Dentures
• Teeth cleaning
• Sedation Dentistry

You find all of these services and treatments at Marketplace Dental Excellence in Queen Creek, Arizona. For over two decades, Marketplace Dental Excellence has provided patients from Queen Creek and surrounding areas with routine exams and dental care they need for their best smiles.

Start your children off right through quality dental care and choosing healthy teeth foods for kids. Call Marketplace Dental Excellence at 480.545.8700 to schedule their first visit in Queen Creek.