What can I give him to eat for his teeth?

Jan 18, 2009 in Parenting

There are certain food items that may benefit your child’s teeth in many ways.

• Raw carrots, cucumber, green beans , radish and celery

These crispy ‘chewing’ foods not only mechanically remove the stuck food particles or the plaques formed in the mouth but also increase the salivation which has a cleaning action on the teeth.

• Milk, yoghurt and cheese

Contrary to normal belief, milk is not bad for the teeth. Normally when the child consumes starchy food like pasta, noodles and bread, the bacteria in your child’s mouth breaks it down and produces the acids which can cause cavities in the teeth. Drinking milk and consuming yoghurt and cheese reduce the amount of these acids by increasing the Ph in the mouth. THERE SHOULD BE NO SUGAR ADDED IN THE MILK.
It also repairs the damaged enamel and strengthens the bones around your child’s teeth.

• Sugarless gum

Again contrary to normal belief, chewing gum for at least 20 minutes after eating food will keep the teeth healthy. But do not give it to a child less than 4 years and make sure that the child does not swallow it.

• Nuts and seeds of Sesame, sunflower and pumpkin

Nuts and seeds have natural fats that coat the teeth and protects against cavity formation. Top off deserts and ice creams with nuts, walnuts and peanuts and they also decrease the acids that cause cavity formation. These are also rich in calcium and so strengthen the bones around the gums and diseases.

• Strawberries, Kiwis, oranges, limes

These fruits and certain vegetables like tomatoes, sweet potato, capsicum etc are rich in vitamin C which kills the bacteria that can harm our teeth. These also provides with proteins that make the teeth strong. But it is advisable to brush your teeth minutes after the intake of citrus fruits as immediate brushing can cause erosions in them.

read more in our pregnancy section for teeth problems in pregnancy and the development of teeth in your body.