Dental tips and teeth-friendly foods for children

Once you have ticked off dental visit from your list of things- to-do before school begins, teach your children dental hygiene and the significance of teeth-friendly foods for children. Here are a few tips from Dr Egle Vitaite, Specialist Paediatric Dentist at Dr Roze & Associates Dental Clinic (drrozedentalclinic.com)

A healthy lunch and snacks are important for active children. Make sure you make the right choice when it comes to packed lunchboxes. Some teeth-friendly foods for children are:

• Fresh fruit – avoid dried fruits as they are loaded with sugars
• Crunchy vegetables (carrots, peppers, celery)
• A meat or protein such as slices of lean meat, hardboiled egg, peanut butter or nut butters without sugar.
• Dairy food such as a cheese stick or slice, grated cheese, milk or plain yoghurt.
• Whole grain bread, plain crackers and bagels.

“Only one snack per day should be fruit. If your child has eaten fruit in the morning as a snack, it is best not to give it again in the afternoon. Fruit is still alright after a meal, as it does not have the same effect on your child’s teeth as it would on an empty stomach,” says Dr Egle Vitaite, Specialist Paediatric Dentist at Dr Roze & Associates Dental Clinic.

Make sure you and your children brush your teeth twice a day, and use mouthwash after breakfast. Another important tip is to wait 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth, or else the acid can damage the tooth surface. At night, brush right before bed to avoid decay overnight.