Essential Vitamins & Foods For Kids Teeth
Has your child been brushing their teeth regularly, but still suffers from unhealthy mouth problems or tooth decay? It could be their diet. The food your child consumes plays a large role in protecting their teeth, cheeks, and gums. Here are a few vitamins and minerals that we feel are important to include in your child’s daily diet to keep their bodies and mouths healthy.
Calcium
Benefits:
Perhaps one of the most important nutrients for a growing child, calcium helps build and protect bones and teeth, and also strengthens jaw bones to effectively hold teeth in place. Calcium works synonymously with phosphorus and Vitamin D to maintain and keep your kid’s mouth healthy.
Recommended Sources:
When it comes to adding calcium into your child’s diet, look for dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, as well as brown rice, cabbage, peas, and orange juice. You can find Vitamin D in fish, eggs, and dairy products as well.
Vitamin A
Benefits:
Vitamin A helps with fostering normal growth and development, along with increasing tissue and bone repair and heightening the immune system. As for the mouth, Vitamin A increases saliva flow, which helps remove harmful acids from teeth and gums and prevents the drying out of the mouth.
Recommended Sources:
Foods rich in Vitamin A include eggs, cheese, milk, and veggies such as carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, and yams.
Vitamin C
Benefits:
Vitamin C helps bodies repair cells and heal faster by producing collagen. This helps to fight off mouth sores and gum inflammation.
Recommended Sources:
Look for Vitamin C in citrus fruits such as oranges, kiwi, and grapefruit.
Magnesium
Benefits:
Magnesium is another beneficial nutrient that helps bodies retain calcium to help preserve teeth and bones.
Recommended Sources:
Magnesium is present in foods such as whole grains, beans, seeds, and nuts.
Pediatric Dental Clinic in Des Moines and Ankeny
If you are interested in more ways to tailor your child’s diet to keep their bodies and mouths healthy, contact us to schedule an appointment at either our Ankeny or Des Moines location and Drs. Barsetti and Whittemore will work with you to find the best ways to protect your child’s teeth!