Foods That Strengthen Kids' Teeth
This article was originally published on www.parents.com by Gina Robers-Grey
Yes, eating too much candy can cause cavities -- but did you know that many other foods actually strengthen kids' teeth?
Foods That Help Oral Health
Oranges, kiwis, strawberries, limes, and peppers
There are several different types of bacteria in your child's mouth, and some of them can cause gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease, says Melvin Pierson, DDS, a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry. Vitamin C in fruits such as oranges, limes, kiwis, cantaloupe, papaya, and strawberries helps kill these bacteria, and it also promotes a healthy supply of collagen in the gums. Other good vegetable sources: red, yellow, and orange peppers; tomatoes; and sweet potatoes. However, dentists say that kids should wait at least 30 minutes before brushing their teeth after having citrus foods or drinks. That's because citric acid in the fruit can temporarily weaken tooth enamel and leave teeth vulnerable to erosion caused by brushing.
Milk, yogurt, and cheese
Starchy carbohydrates like bread, white potatoes, and pasta break down into sugar. This sugar feeds other types of bacteria in your child's mouth that produce cavity-causing acid. When your child drinks milk or eats yogurt or cheese -- which are rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phosphate -- it raises the pH level in his mouth, lowers acid levels, and reduces the risk of tooth decay, says Ray J. Jurado, DDS, director of pediatric dentistry at Children's Memorial Hospital, in Chicago. Calcium is also beneficial in several other ways: It mixes with plaque and sticks to teeth, further protecting them from lingering acid; it repairs damaged enamel; and it strengthens the bones around your child's teeth, making them more resistant to periodontal disease later in life.