Diet and nutrition play a significant role in your overall health and well-being. Then why leave behind oral health? People often ignore oral health and increase their susceptibility to oral problems that may negatively impact general health. Thus it is essential to look after your oral health for enhanced well-being. Good diet and nutrition are important prerequisites for proper growth and development and also to achieve healthy teeth and gums. What you eat shows up through your physical well-being.
The dentist in Woodbridge and their team of dieticians focus on diet counseling for parents to help take care of their child’s nutritional needs for an improved quality of oral health.
The role of a nutritious diet for a healthy oral cavity
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children require a balanced dose of all the essential nutrients needed for healthy growth and development. The teeth and their supporting structures are important, too, since the oral cavity acts as a gateway to other systems in the body. A good and well-balanced diet must contain the right amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and fats. Improper inclusion of essential nutrients can result in nutritional deficiencies that increase the risk of oral problems, especially tooth decay.
Special attention must be paid to the foods consumed, especially when it comes to the sugar content in them. Increased sugar intake can be detrimental to the child’s oral health since it paves the way for increased bacterial colonization and plaque accumulation in the future.
Beneficial foods to eat
Include the following foods in the diet to reap maximum benefits:
- Proteins
- Eggs
- Chickpeas
- Lean meat
- Fish
- Chicken
- Nuts
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Fruits
- Berries
- Melons
- Pears
- Apples
- Bananas
- Vegetables
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Cucumber
- Celery
- Carrots
- Low-fat dairy products
- Cheese
- Butter
- Paneer
- Calcium sources
- Milk
- Curd
- Xylitol-sweetened gum
- Fluoridated water
Foods to limit or avoid
Though nutrition plays a key role in good oral health, certain foods can be harmful when consumed regularly. Lessen the risk of dental caries and decay by limiting your child’s intake of certain foods or avoiding them altogether. These include:
- Sticky chewy foods
- Caramel
- Lollipops
- Candies
- Desserts
- Ice cream
- Cakes
- Sugar-sweetened drinks
- Sodas
- Sports drinks
- Sweetened fruit juice
- Chocolate milk
- Tooth-staining beverages
- Tea
- Coffee
Bottom line
A good and healthy diet loaded with nutrients is fundamental to your child’s growth and development. Make sure to brush your child’s teeth after eating sticky and sugary snacks. Diet, good oral hygiene practices like brushing, flossing, regular dental visits, and professional cleaning can give you healthy teeth, body, and mind.
