Top Foods for Strong, Healthy Teeth

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"You are what you eat.
During adulthood, the saying is absolutely true. The older we get, the less flexibility we tend to have with what or how much we can eat. We can"t eat a box of cookies without paying for it the next day (sometimes immediately).

Kids, however, have it easier with food flexibility. Being in a developmental stage, their bodies allow them to get away with more cheat meals (of course, this may be different for those who are suffering from metabolic anomalies.)

Despite that advantage, it is crucial to teach children the importance of a healthy diet and to install the discipline of making healthy dietary choices from a young age. One of the top reasons for that lesson is to preserve their oral hygiene. So, what are some healthy foods for strong and healthy teeth?

Dairy Products For Healthy Teeth
The first item on the list is an obvious choice: dairy products. They"re a great source of protein, minerals (phosphorus and calcium), and vitamins (vitamin D) and are usually low in sugars.

A 2013 study published in the May/June issue of General Dentistry found that cheese, milk, and sugar-free yogurt help prevent cavities.

The action of chewing on cheese increases the production of saliva in the mouth, thereby increasing the pH levels (decreasing the acidity levels), which in turn protects the enamel from erosion.

Aside from calcium and phosphorus (essential minerals for optimal oral and bone health), dairy products contain a protein called casein. This protein plays a role in recruiting calcium and phosphorus to repair cavities resulting in healthy teeth.

Citrus Fruits
What do all citrus fruits have in common? Vitamin C. This vitamin is necessary for the production of collagen (the tissue that holds everything together), L-carnitine (which converts fat into energy), and certain neurotransmitters, among a long list of functions.

Vitamin C deficiency is known to cause periodontal (gum) disease. Therefore, citrus fruits should be incorporated in your child"s diet in order to protect and strengthen their teeth from altercations.

The daily recommended dose of vitamin C differs between age groups:

From birth to 6 months: 40mg
From 7 to 12 months: 50mg
From 1 to 3 years: 15mg
From 4 to 8 years: 25mg
From 9 to 13 years: 45mg
From 14 to 18: 75mg (for boys) and 65mg (for girls)
As a point of reference, one small orange contains 50 mg of vitamin C, on average ."

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