Nutrition for Teen Tooth Health
10:13 AM
As teens start making more of their own decisions about the clothes they wear, the friends they keep, and the activities they engage in, they start to make more choices about the foods they eat, too. And that can be bad news for teeth, because teens tend to be drawn toward foods that are pretty tough on tooth enamel.
3 Treats to Watch
You might know about the obvious dangers to teeth, like candy and soda. But here are some stealthier tooth breakers.
1. Pizza: As with candy, starchy foods like pizza and hamburger buns spell trouble for teeth. Those starches get converted into acids that literally eat tooth enamel -- leaving teeth yellow and vulnerable to cavities. So while you don't have to make teen favorites like pizza and hamburgers off limits, you'll want them to be a special treat. And encourage teens to brush afterward
2. Energy drinks: Most kids are eager to experiment with sports and energy drinks, thanks to appealing marketing campaigns featuring sports heroes and exciting extreme sports. But these drinks contain plenty of enamel-eroding acids that leave teen teeth vulnerable. Same goes for 100% fruit juices and soda. So suggest replacing these enamel-destroying drinks with more water, low-fat milk, green tea, and drinks lightly sweetened with fruit juice. Also, buy a box of straws and have your teen use them when she does indulge in less tooth-friendly beverages
3. Granola bars: Maybe you're turning your kid toward granola bars instead of candy bars. That's a good thing, because few things contain more tooth-damaging sugar than candy bars. But keep in mind that granola can be sticky and adhere to teeth, meaning it has more time to do damage to enamel. Have your teen brush after eating granola bars and other sweet, sticky treats.
Better Choices
So what can teens eat that will help satisfy their appetites without doing a number on teeth? Here are some treats that will satisfy yet still provide valuable nutritional support for teeth:
Sugarless gum. Satisfying a sweet tooth with some sugarless gum is a smart idea. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends chewing sugarless gum because it boosts the secretion of saliva. And more saliva not only dilutes enamel-dissolving acids in the mouth but also increases salivary levels of calcium and phosphate -- two minerals that help harden tooth enamel. Plus, studies have found that kids who chewed sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals three times a day had an almost 40% decrease in dental caries.
So what can teens eat that will help satisfy their appetites without doing a number on teeth? Here are some treats that will satisfy yet still provide valuable nutritional support for teeth:
Sugarless gum. Satisfying a sweet tooth with some sugarless gum is a smart idea. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends chewing sugarless gum because it boosts the secretion of saliva. And more saliva not only dilutes enamel-dissolving acids in the mouth but also increases salivary levels of calcium and phosphate -- two minerals that help harden tooth enamel. Plus, studies have found that kids who chewed sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals three times a day had an almost 40% decrease in dental caries.
String cheese. Cheese is a chewy, satisfying treat that's actually good for teeth. Why? Because the calcium and phosphorus in low-fat dairy may help strengthen tooth enamel.
Raisins. Chewy and sweet, raisins might seem like a counterintuitive snack choice. But research has shown that protective compounds -- phytochemicals -- in raisins may help fight cavities by inhibiting the growth of certain types of oral bacteria.
Nutrition at Home
There's no reason for your teen to completely give up her favorite snack foods and beverages in order to protect her teeth from cavities or other dental problems. An occasional treat can be fine if it's part of a nutritious, well-balanced diet full of foods and nutrients that support healthy teeth and healthy growth. Whenever possible, facilitate the healthy development of your teen's teeth and counter the ill effects of less-than-ideal choices by serving meals full of antioxidant- and mineral-rich leafy greens and brightly colored vegetables, lean protein sources like fish and beans, and whole grains like quinoa and brown or wild rice -- instead of acid-producing white rice, pasta, and white bread.
Excerpts taken from "Oral Care for Teens" by Real Age. Read more http://www.realage.com/health-guides/inv-foods-that-damage-teen-teeth
Best Teen Diets recommends healthy well balanced eating that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low-fat or fat-free dairy. We offer nutrition information for teens, parents and educators that emphasizes the importance of healthy eating in teens.
Nutrition at Home
There's no reason for your teen to completely give up her favorite snack foods and beverages in order to protect her teeth from cavities or other dental problems. An occasional treat can be fine if it's part of a nutritious, well-balanced diet full of foods and nutrients that support healthy teeth and healthy growth. Whenever possible, facilitate the healthy development of your teen's teeth and counter the ill effects of less-than-ideal choices by serving meals full of antioxidant- and mineral-rich leafy greens and brightly colored vegetables, lean protein sources like fish and beans, and whole grains like quinoa and brown or wild rice -- instead of acid-producing white rice, pasta, and white bread.
Excerpts taken from "Oral Care for Teens" by Real Age. Read more http://www.realage.com/health-guides/inv-foods-that-damage-teen-teeth
Best Teen Diets recommends healthy well balanced eating that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low-fat or fat-free dairy. We offer nutrition information for teens, parents and educators that emphasizes the importance of healthy eating in teens.
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