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GROWIE's Preschool Development Corner Series 8

Grow strong teeth with good nutrition

Keeping your child's teeth healthy, strong and beautiful is not just about brushing, flossing and avoiding sweets. Good nutrition also plays a crucial role in his dental health.

A complete and balanced diet, characterised by moderation and variety, will help boost your child's immune system, so that he will be less vulnerable to oral diseases.

Healthy diets also provide the nutrients little bodies need to maintain strong teeth and healthy gums.

There are three types of nutrients necessary for maintaining strong teeth: calcium, magnesium & Vitamin D.

Calcium

This is the most abundant mineral found in the body, it helps to form strong bones and teeth.

If your child does not maintain enough calcium in his diet, the stocks of calcium in his body will deplete, resulting in weaker teeth and bones.

Some sources of calcium include sardines, chinese cabbage, spinach, bok choy, rhubarb, broccoli, red beans, milk, cheese and yoghurt.

Magnesium

This mineral helps to form tooth enamel that prevents cavities. It also provides structure to our bones.

Some sources of magnesium are brown rice, almonds, spinach, avocado, peanuts, hazelnuts and black-eyed peas.

Vitamin D

Our body needs this nutrient to properly absorb calcium through the intestinal wall. If your child's initial intake of Vitamin D is inadequate, taking in large amounts of calcium would be ineffective.

Sunlight is a good source, but it cannot be relied on solely because the extent to which our body produces Vitamin D depends on factors such as skin colour, age, altitude, pollution and cloud cover.

Hence, it is vital to obtain Vitamin D through food as well. Some examples of food containing this vitamin include cod liver oil, sardines, egg yolk and fortified dairy products.

As parents, please remember to eat complete and balanced diets yourself. Maintaining strong, healthy teeth starts with the example you set!

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