Nutrition and dental health are exceptionally important factors in your child’s overall wellbeing. While the right toothbrush, correct brushing technique and daily flossing are vital in a child’s oral care routine, healthy eating habits also play an essential role.
Here at Wiggly Teeth, specialised children dental practitioners in Pretoria, we are passionate about encouraging positive eating habits and good dental health for children. In this blog, we have compiled a list of some dentist-approved snacks for children that will help you guide them in making good choices!
Green Veggies
As much as children often complain about eating their greens, there’s a reason that green vegetables, like broccoli and spinach, should be a staple in every child’s diet. These veggies are full of vitamin C, calcium and phosphorous; all of which promote healthy teeth and gums. The iron levels in these vegetables also help create a protective coating on tooth enamel.
Water
Water is most definitely the healthiest drink option when it comes to oral health. Water cleans the mouth, and fluoridated water adds extra strength to the teeth. Wherever possible, you should avoid allowing your children to drink fizzy cold drinks and juices with high sugar contents.
Carrots, Celery & Apples
These healthy snacks are full of fibre, and their crunchy quality strengthens your child’s teeth while helping out with an extra brush. Allow your children to eat whole apples, celery sticks and carrots instead of cutting them up into bite-size pieces. This will allow for extra-strengthening.
Seeds and Nuts
Seeds and nuts are praised for their ability to replenish tooth enamel, which is so often broken down by the many acidic foods in our modern diets. If your child doesn’t enjoy eating plain seeds or nuts, try crushing them up and sprinkling them over their other meals.
Dairy
Full of calcium and other minerals, dairy has always been known as a friend to children’s teeth and bones. Additionally, dairy helps to readjust the pH levels in the mouth and prevent all types of tooth decay.
Hidden Sugars
This is more of a cautionary point than a suggestion: don’t be fooled by into believing that everything your child eats (even the healthy stuff) is good for your child’s teeth. Yogurts, fruit, and health bars have all become common additions to our children’s diets, but many of these products contain unbelievably high amounts of sugar, which damages their teeth. We’re not saying cut them off entirely, just suggesting moderation!
Here at Wiggly Teeth in Pretoria, we care deeply about the dental health of the younger generation, and our dental practice caters exclusively for children. We understand that a trip to the dentist can be scary for tiny tots, so we have made an effort to create a stress-free and friendly environment where both children and parents feel at ease.
If you have any questions , feel free to call us on +27 12 347 0718.
