Eating Healthy Foods Paves the Way for a Healthy Mouth

It’s Children’s Dental Health Month — the perfect time to look at your children’s dental health habits. Taking care of their teeth is an important part of their oral and physical health. But it involves more than teaching them proper brushing etiquette.

What your child eats has a significant impact on the health of their teeth. Our dentists at Weaver, Reckner & Reinhart Dental Associates are committed to helping everyone in your family achieve a healthy mouth. Here are some ideas for healthy snacks that parents can incorporate into their lunchboxes or meals.

Apples

You know the saying… An apple a day keeps the doctor away. The same holds true for dentists! Chewing apples and other crunchy, high-fiber fruits help to eliminate plaque from teeth. They also make an excellent lunch-time snack!

Water with Fluoride

Water with fluoride is an essential component in the health of your child’s teeth. This year’s slogan for Children’s Dental Health Month, “Water, Nature’s Drink!” encourages children to not only brush their teeth and visit their dentist but to eat a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks. Drinking water is a great alternative to damaging beverages such as sodas and fruit juices. The American Dental Association states, “One way to help children to drink more water is to add natural fruits like berries, cucumbers, lemons, and limes.”

Eggs

Eggs are a great source of calcium, protein, and vitamin D, which are important minerals for oral health.

Dairy

Milk, cheese, and yogurt are high in calcium, casein, and phosphorus, which can protect tooth enamel.

Crunchy and Leafy Veggies

Celery and carrots, broccoli, and other green leafy vegetables provide an excellent source of vitamins and minerals which aid in the strengthening of tooth enamel.

In addition to eating healthy, it is important to maintain regular dental visits. It is recommended that children be taken to the dentist after the first tooth erupts with fluoride applications every six months.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 20% of children have cavities that have not been treated. Regular dental check-up visits in our Harleysville or Souderton locations, combined with healthy foods, can help to reduce the chance of decay.

Maintaining the proper home care in between routine dental visits is essential to a healthy mouth. Consistent brushing and flossing with your child can help to create a routine that will enable them to care for their teeth as they grow older.

 

Our dedicated team of hygienists and dentists at Weaver, Reckner & Reinhart Dental Associates is here to assist you and your family achieve a healthy lifestyle. We are looking forward to seeing you at your next oral check up in Harleysville or Souderton. You can learn more about our office and other services, including orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and dental implants, by browsing our website. If you have a true dental emergency, you can contact one of our offices at 215-486-1649 or 215-486-1652.