Nutrition For Kids: 5 Healthy Foods That Improve Dental Health

Nutrition For Kids: 5 Healthy Foods That Improve Dental Health

Monday, November 19th, 2018

There are many ways to help your kids have better dental health. You can encourage your kids to brush at least twice a day and floss once a day. You can take them for regular dental checkups every six months. You can make sure they avoid sugary treats and juices. But good nutrition for kids is one of the easiest ways to improve dental health. Here are 5 foods you can add to your child’s diet to help them have healthier teeth, based on recommendations from the American Dental Association (ADA):

1. Apples

Apples are a great addition to your child’s diet. In addition to adding vitamins that are good for their overall health, the process of chewing and eating apples can actually help remove plaque from teeth. Celery and carrots also provide this benefit, so try adding these healthy, crunchy snacks to lunches and snack time.

2. Spinach

Green, leafy veggies like spinach provide a variety of health benefits. Not only are they a great source of iron, but spinach and most other leafy greens are powerful antioxidants. They are also full of beta-carotene, which is needed for keeping tooth enamel strong.

3. Salmon and Other Fish

The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish are well known for improving heart health, but these same foods are great sources of vitamin D, which plays a critical role in keeping teeth and jaw bones strong.

4. Oranges

Oranges and other fruits and veggies are a great source of vitamin C. Without enough vitamin C, kids (and adults) can develop scurvy, which can cause bleeding, swollen gums.

5. Low-Fat Yogurt

Calcium is critical for healthy teeth, and yogurt is a great source of calcium that is fun for kids to eat. Mix a few berries into the yogurt for extra nutrition for kids.

In addition to healthy foods, good brushing and flossing habits, and regular checkups, the ADA recommends chewing sugar-free gum as a way to help minimize plaque. When your kids are old enough to safely have gum, it’s a great option, especially when they can’t brush their teeth right away.

Src: Shadra Bruce . Nutrition & Oral Health . Basics . Oral Care Center . Colgate.com .  web . 7Sep2015

Dentist Should Advise Vegetarians on Good Oral Health

Monday, November 19th, 2018

Health concerns about fat and cholesterol have prompted many people to become vegetarians, and the nutritional deficiencies that can sometimes result may reveal themselves during dental exams.

Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Ludwig Leibsohn, DDS says he usually asks patients if they adhere to vegetarian or other special diets.

“Most adult vegetarians are very knowledgeable about nutrition,” says Dr. Leibsohn. “They maintain their diets in a proper fashion.”

Children, however, need a well-balanced and nutritionally complete diet for proper growth, and the potential for deficiencies is greatest among children and teenagers who put themselves on vegetarian diets without knowing enough about their nutritional needs.

Although vegetarian diets vary, some vegetarians, particularly those who do not consume any food of animal origin, can experience deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B₁₂ or complete proteins. Studies show that by eating the right amount of fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes, they can get the nutrients they need.

“An adult on a vegetarian diet for a prolonged period can be at increased risk for periodontal (gum) disease from a lack of vitamin D and calcium,” says Dr. Leibsohn.

Dr. Leibsohn recommends that anyone considering adopting a vegetarian diet seek counseling from their dentist or a nutritionist to learn about substituting foods to get all the necessary nutrients. He also suggests taking a multiple vitamin daily.

Teeth may soften when there is a shortage of vitamin D, becoming more susceptible to decay and periodontal disease. Vitamin D is produced in the body with sun exposure, so deficiencies are rare, but it can develop in those who do not consume milk or fish. Adding vegetable margarines or soy milk to the diet may solve the problem.

Diet is an important part of an individual’s medical history, and patients should always inform their dentist if they adhere to vegetarian or other special diets, says Dr. Leibsohn.

Src: “Dentist Should Advise Vegetarians on Good Oral Health” . InfoBites . KnowYourTeeth . Academy of General Dentistry . January 2012 . web . 19Aug2015

Nutrition

Monday, November 19th, 2018

Your mouth is your body’s initial point of contact with the nutrients you consume. So naturally, what you put in your mouth impacts not only your general health but also the health of your teeth and gums. Did you know that certain foods can put you at risk for cavities and other oral health problems? Here are some MouthHealthy tips. Remember: If your nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your oral health.

According to MyPlate, a website from the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, an agency of U.S. Department of Agriculture, a balanced diet should include:

• Fruits and vegetables. Combined these should be half of what you eat every day.
• Grains. Make sure at least half of the grains you eat are whole grains, such as oatmeal, whole wheat bread and brown rice.
• Dairy. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy foods.
• Lean proteins. Make lean protein choices, such as lean beef, skinless poultry and fish. Try and vary your protein choices to include eggs, beans, peas and legumes, too. Eat at least 8 oz. of seafood a week.

Src: American Dental Association, www.mouthhealthy.org