What makes teeth grow faster
8 Superfoods That Help Grow Strong Teeth (Recipes Your Kids Will Love)
Superfoods are all the rage these days but what are they? Well, there isn’t set criteria for what qualifies as a superfood but, in general, they’re foods that are extremely nutrient-dense and have significant health benefits. Since we’re Brooklyn pediatric dentists, we’re all about choosing food for healthy teeth and gums. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that there’s no food, no matter how super, that can improve oral health all by itself. The key to smile success is combining a well-rounded diet with brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist. That said, certain vitamins and minerals are great for giving teeth and gums a boost. Here are 8 superfoods to promote healthy teeth and kid-friendly, whole food recipes that incorporate them.
1. Almonds – Though almonds are a good food for healthy teeth and gums, because of their texture and how hard they are, they can be damaging to the enamel. To get the health benefits while protecting little pearly whites, opt for almond slivers or natural almond butter instead of whole ones. Almonds are high in protein and calcium, both of which strengthen enamel and the jaw bone, and they’re low in sugar. Almonds are also thought to help fight cavity-causing bacteria. Now, how do you get a picky eater to snack on almonds? These almond and buckwheat pancakes featured on Kidspot are one of our favorite healthy recipes for children and toddlers that utilize the superfood. In addition to your standard pancake ingredients, this wholesome version includes almond meal (ground almonds), buckwheat flour, coconut milk and coconut sugar for a healthier take.
2. Kale – No list of superfoods to promote healthy teeth would be complete without a mention of a leafy green. Kale has calcium, folic acid, fiber, iron, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin K, copper, potassium, vitamin C and the list could go on. The fat soluble vitamins, such as A and K, help the body utilize the calcium, which builds strong teeth and bones.
Phosphorus also encourages the remineralization of teeth. Vitamin C may help zap bacteria in the mouth that can lead to gingivitis and it stimulates a healthy supply of collagen in gum tissue.
Kale can be a hard sell for a younger crowd. Enter, kale chips. In the world of kid-friendly whole food recipes it doesn’t get much easier than kale chips. You’ll need one bunch of kale, one tablespoon of olive oil and salt and pepper to taste Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a knife to cut the kale leaves from the thick stems. Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces and then wash them. You can either pat them and let them air dry in a single layer on a kitchen towel or dry them in a salad spinner. When they’re good to go, put them in a bowl and mix them with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake them for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the edges are brown.
3. Avocado – Avocados have healthy fats, fiber, vitamins B5, B6, C, E and K, folate and potassium along with other antioxidants and phytonutrients.
Vitamin C and folate are particularly good for healthy gums. A study even linked avocados with oral cancer prevention. It’s pretty hard to find an adult who would turn down an avocado but not all kids are fans of things that are green. Oh She Glows has a solution with a fantastic healthy, kid-friendly recipe for creamy avocado pasta where the avocado stands in for a cream sauce.
4. Flaxseed – Flaxseed is another of the healthy foods for kids’ teeth. It’s chock full of polyphenols, which are thought to hinder the growth of the bacteria that leads to plaque, in turn, helping to prevent cavities, gum disease and bad breath. It also contains omega-3 essential fatty acids and these reduce inflammation, protecting the gums. For a kid-friendly superfood fix, try these flax carrot apple muffins from Super Healthy Kids
5. Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes are a food for healthy teeth and gums and since they’re sweet and colorful, little ones are usually more than happy to eat them.
They’re a source of vitamins A, C, B1, B2 and B6, manganese, copper, potassium, fiber, phosphorus and other key nutrients. The vitamin C keeps gums in top-notch shape without the acidity than can erode enamel that’s usually found in citrus fruits. Vitamin A is necessary to maintain the soft tissues and mucous membranes in the mouth and is also involved in the formation of keratin, which is part of the tooth’s enamel. Sweet as Honey has a recipe for gluten-free sweet potato tots that also includes flaxseed, another of our superfoods.
6. Apples – Apples aren’t usually considered a superfood and are often eclipsed by things like blueberries. However, the humble apple is up there as far as the best fruit for teeth. While it might have a lower concentration of certain nutrients, it’s less acidic than some of its friends and contains vitamin C, plenty of water and fiber. Vitamin C is excellent for promoting gum health. An apple is also one of nature’s toothbrushes.
The fibrous texture of raw apples scrapes away food debris and bacteria as kids eat them. The high water content stimulates saliva, which then neutralizes plaque acids and restores minerals that were lost from the teeth during the daily acid attacks that take place in our mouths. For an easy, healthy recipe for kids that keeps the apple in its natural, toothbrushing state, slice up an apple and slather the slices in peanut butter or a nut butter alternative. To take it up a notch, sprinkle your slices with cinnamon.
7. Legumes – Legumes like lentils, fava beans, black beans and chickpeas are high in protein and fiber and also contain folic acid, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, phosphorus and other nutrients. They’re super filling too, making them a great option for replacing meat in a meal. Aside from the general health benefits of legumes, these little nutritional powerhouses are among the best foods for dental health. Folic acid stimulates cell growth in the entire body, including the mouth for healthier gums.
Magnesium strengthens enamel and the iron and zinc play an important role in keeping the bone that supports the teeth strong. There are a lot of healthy recipes for children and toddlers starring legumes, including these vegan lentil nuggets from Sarah Remmer.
Now that you’re well versed in superfoods to promote healthy teeth, add regular dental checkups to your child’s oral care routine to keep their smile strong and bright. For a knowledgeable, fun pediatric dentist in Brooklyn, schedule a visit at Bitesize!
5 Foods to Grow Your Teeth Big & Strong
It sure seems like people are always talking about what is bad for your teeth lately. We all know that you shouldn’t eat too much sugar, and that certain foods can wear down your teeth worse than others. But why doesn’t anyone ever talk about foods that can be good for your teeth?
Believe it or not, not everything that goes into your mouth will require a future root canal. Some foods out there do an equal, or even better job of taking care of your teeth than your toothbrush does, especially if you’re not using your toothbrush correctly.
So, without further ado, here are five foods that improve your dental health while also nourishing your body.
Dairy Products
The recommended serving size you should be drinking daily is 2-3 servings. Milk and yogurt are low in acidity and sugar making them great choices to quench your thirst or have as a healthy snack. This is good news for both tooth erosion and tooth decay. Milk is rich in calcium, which means you are fortifying teeth and bones while refueling during the day.
Protip: Though milk is excellent for growing babies, it’s actually bad to send babies 6 months or older to bed with a bottle of milk. It sits on their teeth overnight and can cause tooth rot later. Send them to bed with a damp towel to suck on or a water bottle!
Fruits
The recommended amount of fruit you should be eating daily is 2-4 servings. Fruit is best for you when eaten in its whole, raw form. It keeps down plaque and massages your gums. Choose the fruits rich in Vitamin C, which holds our body cells together.
If you are short of Vitamin C, your gums may become tender and more susceptible to gum disease.
Protip: If your child doesn’t enjoy eating fruit raw try providing them the alternative of fruit leather. Make sure you choose one lower in sugar!
Vegetables
The recommended serving of vegetables you should eat daily is 3-5 servings. Veggies are good if you are trying to build a good foundation for your teeth. Broccoli, carrots, sweet potato and pumpkin are rich in Vitamin A from which tooth enamel forms. If you eat them raw you will get more Vitamin A, as well as clean your teeth and massage your gums.
Protip: If your child hates eating vegetables, try blending them up in smoothies to disguise the taste.
Protein
The recommended amount of meat you should eat daily is 2-3 servings. Beef, chicken, eggs, and turkey are rich in phosphorus. Calcium combines with phosphorus and Vitamin D to produce our teeth and bones.
Make sure you get enough protein to keep your teeth healthy, and reduce decay.
Protip: Make sure you are eating mostly fish, nuts, or poultry for a better heart and lungs, and avoid too much red meat when looking for protein!
Water
There is no recommended serving size for water. The best advice is to simply drink water when you are thirsty, as well as avoid sugary drinks and juices! When you rinse with water, it cleans your mouth so that your saliva can nourish your teeth, hydrate your gums, and help wash away trapped food particles that can create plague.
Protip: Help your child start healthy water-drinking habits by ensuring they drink one 8oz glass of water either before school or before bed. This will help clean their teeth, flush out their digestive system, and keep them healthy and happy!
Diet & Oral Health
As children grow it’s not only important to help them establish healthy eating habits, it’s equally important to help them develop healthy oral habits.
Children should be learning to brush and floss their own teeth from an early age (approximately 2-3 years), and encourage them to eat the above listed foods to help them appreciate good oral health.
At Burg Children’s Dentistry we are huge advocates for healthy diets paired with healthy oral habits. We know how interconnected they are, and we strive to help children understand it too. If you think your child is ready for their first dental appointment, or you have any questions about your child’s habits you can call any of our offices here, or you can fill out the form on our site. We hope you have found some good tips for helping your little ones grow their teeth big and strong!
features of growth and change - dentistry President
Waiting for the first baby teeth in a baby is an exciting and pleasant time, although it is accompanied by some inconvenience. However, one expectation is soon replaced by another. And now mom and dad can’t wait until the baby teeth begin to change into permanent ones.
Contents
- Growth and change of milk teeth
- Tooth changer
- Dental care features
- Teeth grow crooked: what to do?
- Tooth fell out: your actions?
- Deciduous teeth caries: prevention and treatment
Changes associated with the growth and loss of teeth in a child always raise a lot of questions. One of the first - when the first molars appear. Answer: 6-7 years old. The rest you will learn from our article.
Growth and change of milk teeth
It is interesting to know that milk teeth begin to form when the baby is in the mother's womb. And after birth, permanent teeth begin to develop in the gums. This is a long and exciting process, the duration of which depends on the characteristics of the individual development of a small person.
Normally, an adult has 32 teeth, 16 at the top and 16 at the bottom. A small child has fewer of them - only 20.
The critter begins to lose its milk wealth as soon as the formation of permanent teeth in the gum ends. They erupt, displacing temporary teeth.
Possible pain during the change of teeth is the subject of frequent unrest among parents. But we hasten to reassure: in 90% of cases, the eruption of molars occurs almost painlessly. The roots of milk teeth simply dissolve, resulting in natural loss. Most often, the lower teeth change first, but how this will happen in your child and at what speed is an individual question.
On average, all teeth are replaced within 6-8 years. That is, by the age of 14, a teenager will already have a complete set. However, even here there are some nuances. Ultimately, the intensity of the loss of old and the eruption of new teeth is influenced by genetic predisposition, as well as the quality of nutrition. Even drinking water can affect the speed and then the health of your child's teeth.
In case of poor water quality, the risk of caries and pulpitis in milk teeth is higher than in the situation of drinking a good, mineral-rich liquid.
Often, in order to avoid damage to the molars growing after them, the milk teeth are pulled out. It is possible to treat them, but it is not always advisable. Ultimately, this issue should be decided by a specialist.
It is interesting to know that the region also affects the change of the dentition. The factors that delay or accelerate the growth of permanent teeth can also be attributed to the standard of living of the family, the nature of the disease.
Tooth changing mechanism
Another interesting fact to add to your knowledge of teeth: the so-called sixes, or molars, erupt first. But growing up, they do not provoke the loss of milk teeth simply because they are not there. These are additional teeth that stand next to the infant ones.
But then a full-fledged change of milk teeth to molars takes place. Start the relay, as in the first months of a baby's life, incisors. First the lower ones fall out, and then the upper ones. After that, the premolars change, the first pair is renewed at the age of 10, the second at about 12.
By the age of 13, the child, as a rule, already has brand new molars, and at 14 the second molars grow. The third line of molars (wisdom teeth) normally grow in an older teenager, but in practice they erupt already in adults. In some cases, the eights are not shown at all on the surface of the gums.
Dental care features
The sooner you teach your child about oral care, the healthier their teeth will be. Cleaning is necessary for both molars and milk teeth. Moreover, the first permanent teeth especially need this, because at first the enamel is still very thin. She lacks minerals to resist germs and cavities. Therefore, experts recommend using a paste containing fluoride. After each meal, it is strongly recommended to rinse your mouth with clean water. During the day, it is advisable to consume less sweets, because. sugar destroys enamel.
Sometimes during the process of changing teeth, discomfort in the gums and itching are observed, complaints of increased sensitivity during eating are noted.
Calcium-containing foods and vitamin-mineral complexes help strengthen teeth. A qualified pediatric dentist will be able to give practical advice on relieving pain and itching, as well as prescribing vitamins.
Teeth grow crooked: what to do?
The curvature of the molars can appear literally out of the blue, even if the milk line was perfect. The most common cause of individual teeth protruding or misaligned is slow jaw growth, while the teeth themselves grow at a normal rate. Thus, there is simply little space for the teeth, and they take up space above the neighboring ones. Another cause of curvature is the habit of sucking a finger, tongue or foreign objects (pacifiers, pens, etc.).
It is possible to determine whether the baby's oral cavity is developing correctly at about 5 years of age. Conduct a simple inspection at home and pay attention to the gaps between the teeth. If they are sufficient for the appearance of the first molars, then everything is in order.
If the milk teeth sit very tightly to each other, then it may make sense to visit an orthodontist.
Extraction of a milk tooth: in what cases is it necessary?
The desire of many parents to pull out a milk tooth immediately after it began to stagger can be explained by the desire to help the child, to ease his suffering. However, this should not be done. With natural loosening, changing teeth is less painful.
There are two good reasons to have a tooth removed promptly:
- when it prevents the root from erupting, and this can lead to crookedness;
- when there is an inflammatory process.
You can also remove a tooth if it has been loosening for a long time and causing discomfort to the baby. In case of other concerns, we recommend that you contact a specialist.
Tooth fell out: what to do?
With a normal change of teeth, the wound does not bleed after falling out. In this case, it is enough for the child not to eat or drink for the next 2 hours.
This will prevent the entry of irritating substances into the wound, as well as infection. As a prevention of infection, you can make a rinse solution: 2 tablespoons of salt in a glass of water with the addition of 2-3 drops of iodine.
If the cavity in the gum bleeds, do not be afraid. This only speaks of the rupture of thin vessels under the tooth. You can stop bleeding by biting a cotton swab for 5-10 minutes. If after that the blood is still flowing, call a doctor and get tested.
Caries in milk teeth: prevention and treatment
Caries in milk teeth is a common problem in children. Many parents do not attach much importance to it, relying on the early loss of the affected tooth, and make a mistake. A neglected infection can provoke deformation of the jaw, displacement of the molars, as well as their defeat even in the infancy.
Most often, caries is detected at the age of 2-3 years, and the appearance of dark spots is affected not only by poor hygiene, but even by the mother's lifestyle during pregnancy.
Improper nutrition, taking strong medications, as well as bad habits often provoke the development of caries in the process of intrauterine development of the baby.
Tooth decay is also common in premature babies, formula-fed babies (especially with prolonged bottle use), and babies with gastrointestinal problems. Often the teeth of the sweet tooth are affected. The plaque that remains after eating sweets quickly destroys thin enamel.
As soon as the first baby teeth appear, we recommend visiting a dentist. In the future, it is necessary to examine the oral cavity at least once a year. This is the main method of prevention and timely treatment.
To strengthen the enamel, you can remineralize the enamel with a special preparation. If, nevertheless, a surface spot is found, it can be “patched” by silvering. Additionally, the application of solutions containing fluorine, calcium, magnesium and silicon will help to strengthen the surface of the teeth.
Dziova Zarina Aslanbekovna
Manokhina Elena Igorevna
Vostrikova Nina Nikolaevna
Tishchenko Margarita Vadimovna
Moldavskaya Nelli Alexandrovna
Kuznetsova Anna Albertovna
Shamilov Kamil Eldarovich
Tikhonova Tatyana Alexandrovna
Ivannikova Svetlana Nikolaevna
Tkhagusheva Lamara Alievna
Elagin Igor Olegovich
Egorova Maria Mikhailovna
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See also
- Increased abrasion of teeth: causes, signs, treatment
- Dental prosthetics by installing crowns: medical indications
- Ultrasonic toothbrush
- How to help your child not get cavities
- Milk teeth treatment
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First teeth - articles from the specialists of the clinic "Mother and Child"
Bogorad Maria Vladimirovna
Ophthalmologist, Pediatric Ophthalmologist
Clinic "Mother and Child" Kuntsevo, Lapino-1 Clinical Hospital
When to expect
The milk teeth of the future baby are laid at the 7-8th week of intrauterine development, and the permanent ones - at the end of the 4th month of pregnancy.
In total, 20 milk teeth are laid in a child, while permanent ones - 32. To provide the crumbs with a Hollywood smile, the expectant mother needs to eat right throughout all nine months of pregnancy. There are no calcium preparations that would be 100% absorbed, so it is very important to draw “natural” calcium from food, especially cottage cheese. And, of course, the most pregnant woman needs to cure all her teeth - now there are very sparing technologies for this.
The eruption of the first milk teeth in most cases begins at the 3-8th month of a baby's life and ends closer to three years. But it also happens that children are born already with one or two teeth, or teeth can erupt in the first weeks of life. Often the timing of teething depends on genetic characteristics, but much more - on other factors. They affect the teeth and diseases of the crumbs (for example, with rickets, frequent SARS and dyspepsia, teeth erupt later). It is worth paying attention to the nature of nutrition, the quality of drinking water, even the climate! In northern residents, teeth erupt on average a little later than in southerners.
Sometimes teething is delayed, and the first tooth appears closer to the year. Usually there is nothing wrong with this. It is believed that not so much the timing as the order of teething speaks about the health of the child. If it is broken, pay attention to this fact and show the baby to a pediatric dentist.
The process has begun
Profuse salivation indicates that the teething process has begun. In addition, the baby begins to pull into his mouth everything that only comes to his hand. This means that the gums itch, causing him discomfort. Trying to relieve itching, the baby instinctively acts correctly - micro-massage of the gums improves microcirculation in them, teeth erupt easier and faster. During this period, provide the child with teethers: hypoallergenic silicone toys filled with water. The teether should not be cooled in the freezer - only in the refrigerator: otherwise the crumb will get hurt on a hard surface. If the gums are very swollen, and the baby is crying in pain, use special dental gels that have a mild local anesthetic effect.
For most children, the process of teething goes fairly smoothly. There may be short periods of anxiety, violations of the regime of the day and nutrition. Sometimes even teething is accompanied by diarrhea, runny nose, cough and fever. And during the period of the appearance of teeth, the baby is vulnerable to all kinds of infections. The immunity of the crumbs decreases these days, and it is easier to “pick up” the virus, so it’s not worth writing off the worsening of the condition only on the teeth. If a child has a fever when a tooth is cut, it is necessary to look for another inflammatory focus in the body.
At 6 months the baby usually boasts central lower incisors. This is an excuse to start brushing your teeth. Why so early? Milk teeth are small and sharp, have an uneven wavy edge, are close to each other and, as a rule, have a yellowish tint. These teeth have a low degree of mineralization. Their enamel and dentin are very thin. All this contributes to the rapid emergence and spread of caries.
In order to prevent it, you need to brush your teeth regularly: for this, you can use various massage brushes that not only teach the child to hygiene, but also facilitate the process of teething. Teeth are immediately taught to clean correctly - from the gums to the edge, slightly "sweeping", semicircular movements, and in no case horizontal. If possible, brush your teeth after every meal (and at least twice a day). Is there no such possibility? Give the baby a drink - the water will wash away the remnants of food.
At 8 months the upper central incisors usually erupt. In 9 months the upper lateral incisors appear. At 11 months and the lower lateral incisors are already in place in many children! By , the baby has eight normal teeth . But there may not be a single one - delayed teething occurs in 25% of cases with normal psychomotor development of the child. In extremely rare cases, the absence of teeth is associated with adentia - the absence of their rudiments.
You can check this with a pediatric dentist using the radiovisiography method. By 13-15 months the upper first molars appear first, and then the lower ones.
From the age of one, the baby's teeth can be brushed with children's toothpaste and a special children's brush. The service life of the brush is no more than 2 months, even if it looks like new. Many babies swallow delicious pasta. You should not be afraid of this if it is childish and its quantity is no more than a pea. Of course, up to 2–2.5 years, brushing your teeth should be done with the help of, and then under the vigilant control of your mother.
B 18 months fangs erupt. Usually these teeth cause more problems than others, their eruption is more painful, and this process is often accompanied by malaise. At 20 months the second molars erupt. And sometimes already at this age, the mother may notice the first problems. Doctors reassure: carious milk teeth are not a reason to worry that permanent ones will also be bad.
As practice shows, there are no regularities here. Of course, if parents do not neglect the prevention of diseases and dental hygiene. At 2.5 years old, the baby normally has a full set of milk teeth. There are 20 of them - 10 on each jaw .
Milk teeth do not last long - soon they will fall out and permanent ones will appear in their place. Usually the change of teeth begins at about 5-6 years and lasts until 20, when the wisdom teeth erupt.
From the age of 6 months, it is obligatory to come for preventive examinations twice a year. When this becomes a habit, the baby will not be afraid of doctors, and by the age of 7–8 (when a visit to the clinic can no longer be avoided) he will sit in the dental chair quite calmly
In order for the baby's teeth to grow strong and healthy, you need to start taking care of them almost before conception. And it is also better to get to know the dentist early
Terms of eruption and loss of milk teeth
| Upper teeth | |||
| Tooth name | Eruption period | Eruption procedure | Drop time |
| Central cutter | 8 months - 1 year | 2 | 6-7 years old |
| Side cutter | 9 months - 1 year 2 months | 3 | 7-8 years old |
| Fang | 1 year 3 months - 1 year 10 months | 7 | 10-12 years old |
| First molar | 1 year - 1 year 6 months | 5 | 9-11 years old |
| Second molar | 2 years - 2 years 8 months | 10 | 10-12 years old |
| Lower teeth | |||
| Central cutter | 6 months -10 months | 1 | 6–7 years old |
| Side cutter | 10 months -1 year 4 months | 4 | 7-8 years old |
| Fang | 1 year 4 months - 2 years | 8 | 9-12 years old |
| First molar | 1 year 2 months - 1 year 7 months | 6 | 9-11 years old |
| Second molar | 1 year 10 months - 2 years 8 months | 9 | 10-12 years old |
Make an appointment
to the doctor - Bogorad Maria Vladimirovna
Clinical Hospital Lapino-1 "Mother and Child" Clinic "Mother and Child" Kuntsevo
Pediatric Ophthalmology for ChildrenOphthalmology
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