You want your children to have healthy teeth, and what you put on the table during meals can help make them stronger and less susceptible to cavities. Learn the best (and worst) foods and beverages for your kids' teeth, so when they visit a family dentist (such as one from Kappenman Family Dental) for checkups they can get a clean bill of health.    

The good foods

A well-balanced diet is not only good for your kids' bodies, it's ideal for healthy tooth enamel growth as well. Studies have shown that people who experience tooth decay, gum disease, and even missing teeth are less likely to eat fruits and vegetables on a regular basis than people who have an overall healthy diet. You want to make sure the bulk of what your kids eat are healthy fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Calcium is a big deal for healthy tooth enamel. Swiss cheese, low-fat milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese are all excellent sources of calcium that are also relatively low in fat.

The bad foods

Believe it or not, your kids can have sugar and not be at a total risk for cavities or tooth decay. Sweets, such as cookies, candy, and sugary drinks, can be consumed as a treat in between meals without causing a lot of damage. They become bad for your children when they don't rinse their mouth with water or brush their teeth soon after they consume something sugary. Your family dental clinic can help you show your kids the best way to brush and floss their teeth to keep cavities at bay.

Beverages to drink and those to avoid

Water is the best beverage for children to consume. Water helps flush away bacteria, food particles, and sugary substances that get stuck on teeth. Milk and yogurt smoothies are healthy for the calcium and vitamins they provide. Fruit juices are okay but are best consumed through a straw to avoid getting the acid and sugar contents onto their teeth.

Beverages to avoid include sugary soft drinks and juices with a lot of artificial coloring or sugars in them. These beverages should only be given to children in moderation as a treat, and only through a straw to avoid damaging young teeth as they grow.

The oral health of your children is dependent upon what you feed them. Make sure they consume lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and low-fat dairy products and keep other snacks in moderation, and your kids can have stellar checkups with each dentist appointment.