Good oral health is important for everyone, but especially for children. If you are a parent, here are some ways you can pack your child’s lunch to ensure their teeth are well looked after.

Healthy eating habits aren’t only good for a child’s body. They’re important for the health of their teeth too and can protect children (and adults) from gum disease, cavities, plague and adult tooth loss.

Even if your child brushes their teeth regularly, they can still be at risk of cavities if their diet isn’t packed with the right nutrients. As a parent, you can be proactive in their dental care by packing a lunch that includes foods that promote good oral health.

Easy ways to buy foods that are good for your child’s oral health

Foods that contain a lot of carbs, sugars and starch produce more plaque acids in the mouth. This is what attacks the enamel on teeth and leads to cavities. If you’re not sure if something is good for your child’s teeth, check the nutrition label for the presence of sugars.

As a general rule, whole foods, grainy pieces of bread and foods that aren’t as processed are always going to be better for oral health as they contain a high level of nutrients and are lower in sugar. 

Some easy swaps include:

• White bread for a whole grain variety
• Sugary soda or fruit juice for water
• Processed fruit snacks for real fruit
• Sugar and lollies for protein-rich foods

What foods should I pack for lunch that improve oral health?

Milk, Yoghurt, Cheese

Dairy products contain calcium which is good for your teeth and gums. Your bones need calcium to grow and remain strong. Plain yoghurt, milk and cheese products are great for lunches as they are easy to pack full while providing protein for fullness and neutralising acids that bacteria can create.

Apples, Carrots, Celery

Crunchy foods such as carrots, celery, raw broccoli, and apples are great for oral health. Their firm exterior scrapes away plaque left on the teeth while their firmness prevents particles from getting stuck between the teeth. This keeps your breath smelling fresher as lodged food produces plaque and acids which smell. Apples and other crunchy fruit and vegetables promote saliva production which helps remove bacteria on the gums and around the mouth.  

Water

Water is great for teeth health because it helps keep saliva flowing and helps to dislodge pieces of food that are stuck between the teeth. Bottled water from the tap is good for children, especially if it’s fluoridated. Avoid bottled water that is flavored, or labelled as ‘enhanced’ water. These options usually contain additives and high amounts of sugar. 

Tomatoes, Peppers, Broccoli, Potatoes and Spinach

These vegetables are great for teeth because they contain vitamin C which is vital for retaining healthy gums. While on their own these foods aren’t very convenient for lunch, there are ways to ensure your child is getting vegetables at lunchtime. Potato fritters with spinach, chopped tomato and pepper and shredded broccoli can be made the night before and packed cold in your child’s lunch box. You can also batch make and freeze them for added convenience.

What foods are bad for oral health and aren’t recommended for oral health?

Soft breads

White bread is highly processed and easily coats your child’s teeth in a soft, sticky paste. If your child has braces, it’s also a good idea to avoid white bread completely. Whole-grain breads are denser and don’t stick to teeth in the same way.

Chips 

Potato crisps are an easy and common snack idea, however, their small particles get stuck on teeth easily. Nuts make a good alternative as they are full of fiber and protein which will keep their smile healthy and teeth clean.

Imitation Fruit Snacks

Fruit roll-ups, leathers and other fruit snacks sound like healthy food but they usually only contain a small amount of fruit. Any nutritional benefits are also outweighed by their high sugar content. Fruit leathers are often hard and chewy which causes them to stick to teeth and encourage the production of acids. Swap any fruit alternatives for the real thing.

How snacking and eating habits effect oral health 

While packing healthy snacks promotes healthy eating habits, snacking too much is bad for your oral health. Frequent snacking promotes acid attacks on your teeth. It’s much better to eat a snack in one sitting rather than graze on foods throughout the day.

Remember to drink liquids while you are snacking. This will help produce saliva and wash away any food particles likely to get stuck in your teeth. Teach your children to drink during snack times at home. This will encourage them to drink more water while they are at school.

As well as adopting healthy eating habits, oral health problems can be avoided by brushing and flossing twice a day and seeing your dentist every six months. Book your next dental appointment here.

White teeth are a sign that you have great oral health. Therefore, if you start to see brown spots on a tooth or teeth, it’s understandable to be concerned. There is no one reason you may get brown spots on your teeth. Brown spots can be caused by a variety of factors – some of them serious and others not.

 Spots on your teeth can range from brown to yellow, while some look like spots or patches and others look more like marks or lines. If you have noticed brown spots appear on your teeth it’s a good idea to have them checked out by your dentist as soon as possible.

Are discolored teeth always unhealthy?

No. Discoloured teeth aren’t automatically unhealthy. It’s important to know that teeth come in a wide range of shades. Just because your teeth aren’t a bright white doesn’t mean you have poor oral hygiene.

Teeth can naturally be shades of white, cream, and light yellow and still be perfectly healthy. However, brown spots and marks on the teeth can be a sign of dental decay or poor oral hygiene. Tooth discoloration is sometimes reported in association with some antibiotics, but this is very rare.

What causes brown spots on teeth?

Brown spots on teeth are unsightly but they may also be a sign of poor oral health. There are several reasons you may notice discoloration on your teeth: 

Smoking Tobacco Products

Smoking is notoriously bad for your teeth. Tobacco of all kinds can cause surface stains on teeth and discoloration of the enamel. While this may sound like a mild price to pay for smoking, there are other side effects that are even worse for your teeth.

Smoking restricts the blood flow to your gums and can actually cause your teeth to loosen and fall out over time. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your oral health. Chewing tobacco, cigarettes, and cigars are all bad for your oral health.

Dark Coloured Foods and Drink

Some foods and beverages can cause discoloration to your teeth. Coffee, tea, and red wine contain tannins that cause discoloration. Similarly, dark soft drinks like coca-cola do the same. Some foods can also cause discoloration to teeth including some berries and pomegranates.

There’s no real harm from eating berries to the overall health of your teeth. However, soft drinks, tea, and coffee are all acidic and can actually harm the enamel of your teeth. Cut back on the amount of these drinks you consume, use whitening toothpaste and drinking water to help reduce the acid on your tooth enamel.

Tooth Decay

One symptom of tooth decay is dark spots on the enamel of your teeth. This is caused by plaque and tartar bacteria eating away at the sugars in your food. Bacteria then produce enamels that attack the outer layer of enamel, which is designed to protect your teeth. As your tooth enamel weakens, your teeth may appear to discolour.

Dark spots of decay can appear around the edges of a filling or crown. These can grow and cause cavities over time. Eating less sugar is a great way to prevent tooth decay as is seeing your dentist on a regular basis.

Plaque Forms Into Tartar

When bacteria mix with saliva and food in the mouth it causes plaque to form. This is a white, sticky substance you may notice coats your teeth. Plaque can be removed by brushing your teeth. When plaque isn’t removed it turns hard and forms tartar. You may notice tartar building upon the backs of teeth or in hard-to-reach places in your mouth.

Once tartar has formed in your mouth it needs to be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist. Left untreated it can lead to gum disease and increase your chances of getting brown spots and cavities.

What symptoms to look out for

Brown spots on teeth can be a symptom of a cavity. If you notice spots forming on your teeth see a dentist as soon as possible. If the brown spots are accompanied by the following symptoms you may have tooth decay or gingivitis:

• Sore gums
• Bleeding gums
• Bad breath

How to treat brown spots on teeth

See your dentist first before trying to treat brown spots on teeth yourself. You may need a filling or at worse, a root canal. If your dentist gives you the all-clear there are some additional things you can do to stop brown spots and tooth discoloration:

• Quit smoking immediately
• Brush teeth after drinking tea, coffee, or red wine
• Use a whitening toothpaste every day
• Use whitening strips – but only as directed
• Get your teeth professionally whitened
• Swap soda or caffeinated drinks for flavored water or herbal tea
• Brush after every meal and floss once a day
• Avoid sugary foods and drinks to reduce tooth decay

Are you concerned about brown spots on your teeth?

If you are concerned about brown spots on your teeth, see the friendly team at Gentle Dental. Our dentists will make sure your mouth, teeth, and gums are healthy. We can tell you whether the discoloration on your teeth is anything to worry about or a sign of a bigger problem. Book an appointment online today.