Parents often do everything possible to set their child up for a healthy future. Part of that responsibility includes monitoring their diet and oral health regimen to ensure their teeth and gums stay healthy. The following guide offers some dentist-approved tips for what your child should and shouldn’t eat, as well as how you can follow up every meal to ensure optimum results. 

Dentist-Recommended Foods

Raw fruits and vegetables are a critical part of every person’s diet. But when it comes to oral health, these additions are especially crucial. Stringy, fibrous foods like celery and apples work almost like a brush, cleansing the top layer of the teeth to prevent plaque build-up. Incorporate a hearty helping of dairy-rich foods to your children’s diet as well. The calcium in milk, cheese, and unsweetened yogurt will promote strong enamel growth and health. 

Protein-packed foods like nuts, fish, and lean meats also do wonders for your children’s teeth. Not only does the tough texture of these items encourage extra chewing, which stimulates saliva, but they include nutrients like phosphorus, which ward off decay.

Foods That Cause Cavities

Generally, avoid any foods or drinks with sugar. Sugar encourages bacteria growth, which is what causes cavities. As such, candy, soda, cakes, dried fruits, and sugary cereals should be avoided as much as possible. Starchy foods also encourage bacteria growth, so try to limit your child’s intake of white bread, processed grains, and pasta.

Tips to Help Fight Cavities

Beyond limiting the sugar- and starch-rich foods your child consumes, you should also help them develop a strong oral hygiene routine to combat any developing bacteria. Encourage them to brush and floss their teeth after every meal. At a minimum, they should at least brush once in the morning and brush and floss at night. Also, encourage them to drink water during the day to help rinse their teeth of any lingering food particles. 

If you need help maintaining your child’s oral health, talk to the friendly team at Drs Emery & Scuro DMD PC in Rochester, NY. With over 35 years of experience offering thorough, customized dental treatments to patients of all ages, these dentists have the expertise and compassion needed to ensure your little one has a beautiful smile for life. Visit their website to learn more about their services and call (585) 247-7110 to schedule an appointment with a dentist.