When Is a Pulpotomy Necessary?
If your child has a cavity that’s reached past the outer part of the tooth, they may need a pulpotomy, also called a “baby root canal.” Learn when to consider the procedure and what it involves.
The Best and Worst Foods for Your Child’s Teeth
Poor dental health can really set your child back. Studies show that kids with untreated tooth decay miss more school and have lower grades than kids with healthy teeth. Fortunately, you can limit your child’s intake of harmful foods while increasing their exposure to the foods that strengthen their teeth.
At Kids Dental Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Bosede Adeniji guides our pediatric dentistry patients and their parents in making healthy choices to establish good dental health. Today we’ll cover the best and worst foods for your child’s teeth.
The best foods for your child’s teeth
There are plenty of delicious and healthy foods that can help protect your child’s oral health. These include:
Fibrous fruits and veggies
Fiber-rich fruits and veggies, such as celery, carrots, broccoli, berries, and apples, help remove bacteria and plaque from teeth. These foods can also promote saliva production, which helps protect your child’s teeth from sugars and starches while restoring essential teeth-strengthening minerals like calcium and phosphate.
Dairy products
Dairy products like cheese, milk, and plain yogurt contain high levels of calcium and phosphates to strengthen your child’s outer shell of tooth enamel and even help rebuild lost tooth enamel.
Fluoride-containing foods
Water and toothpaste provide most of the fluoride your child needs — but did you know that your child can also get fluoride from some foods? Fruits, especially grapes (and raisins) have high fluoride content, as do veggies like potatoes and spinach.
The worst foods for your child’s teeth
The worst foods for your child’s teeth include:
High sugar foods
High sugar foods, such as breakfast cereals, candy, cookies, and some carbonated sodas, are
terrible for your child’s teeth. They attract damaging bacteria that can essentially dissolve tooth enamel. Carbonation, found in many sodas and some types of candy, contains a lot of acid which can weaken and break down tooth enamel.
High starch foods
Starchy foods, like rice, bread, and crackers, contain a lot of sugar. These foods also tend to be squishy and sticky, clinging to teeth and causing serious enamel damage.
Very chewy foods
Very chewy foods, such as dried fruit, gummy bears, and taffy, are often very high in sugar. They also tend to lodge in small crevices between teeth and get stuck. Chewy foods can sometimes be so challenging to eat that they could lead to a cracked or broken tooth.
Dr. Adeniji and our pediatric dentistry specialists go the extra mile to develop a great rapport with your child, and we’re also here to help you establish the best dental health for your child. If you need to schedule a checkup or discuss protecting your child’s teeth, contact us online or call the Kids Dental Center office today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Why You Shouldn’t Neglect Your Child’s Overbite
An overbite might seem like a minor issue, especially if it’s not very prominent. But, neglecting your child’s overbite now could lead to a lifetime of oral health issues. Fortunately, you can control the progression if you start now.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe for Children?
If your child’s worried about visiting the dentist, it’s only natural for you to stress about the situation, too. Dentists usually recommend sedation dentistry to help kids relax so they can get necessary dental work — but is it safe? Find out here.
When Should My Child Start Oral Health Practices?
Is your little one flashing their first toothy grin? As exciting as it is, those tiny teeth come with big responsibilities. Starting early with good oral health habits keeps your child's smile bright and sets them up for a lifetime of healthy teeth.
Should My Child See an Orthodontist Even If They Still Have Some of Their Baby Teeth?
Orthodontic problems start early in life, so pediatric dentistry specialists often recommend orthodontic evaluations when kids are still young. But, how young is too young? What if your child still has some of their baby teeth? We have the answers.
My Child Is Nervous About Their First Filling: How Can I Prepare Them?
Is your child facing their first cavity and feeling nervous about getting a filling? It’s natural to feel anxious about new experiences (especially when they involve dental tools), but you can help turn the nerves into confidence.