The Do’s and Dont’s for Creating Healthy Teeth for Kids

Diet is critically important for developing healthy teeth for kids. In our dental office, we help kids through regular dental cleanings and fluoride treatment. Still, we know that these are not enough for maintaining a lifetime of good oral health. Healthy choices must also be made at home on a daily basis. When they are, and a child visits our office twice a year, it is highly likely that they will remain in good oral health when they are young and as they age. With that in mind, here are some do's and don'ts for creating a diet good for the teeth.

DO have kids eat:

• Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale
• Crunchy vegetables like celery and broccoli
• Nuts like almonds and pecans
• Lean protein like fish, chicken and turkey
• Dairy products like cheese and yogurt without sugar added
• Whole grains like whole-wheat bread and pasta

DO NOT have kids eat:

• Sweet treats like candy, cookies and cake
• Food high in acid content like lemons, limes or sour candy
• Highly processed food like chips, crackers and white breads
• Fruit snacks
• Fast food

DO have kids drink:

• Water
• Milk
• Natural fruit juice

DO NOT have kids drink:

• Soda
• Diet soda
• High sugar juice
• Chocolate

Making these changes is easier than one may think

To achieve healthy teeth for kids, it is important to make the right choices when it comes to diet. Some parents fear that switching to a healthy diet will be too difficult. We have found that most kids are quite flexible in regards to what they eat. It is simply a matter of keeping the right foods in the house.

If the child can choose between eating an apple or cookie, they will probably choose the cookie. But if they only have the apple offered, they are likely to enjoy the apple just as much. In fact, they may enjoy it even more because of the natural energy they gain from it.

The same holds true for what they drink. Keeping soda and high sugar juice in the house is dangerous for the body and their teeth. They will probably choose to drink it because it tastes good and sugar is addictive. But if they only have water and plain milk to choose from, they will have no problem drinking from these options. Not only will their thirst be quenched, they will be healthier in the process.

Packing healthy lunches for them is also easier than parents might imagine. It comes down to making simple switches. For example, a tuna sandwich for lunch instead of peanut butter and jelly will eliminate the sugary jelly while giving them something still satisfying and enjoyable. Packing sliced apples or carrots instead of fruit snacks is also a healthy and easy choice for their teeth. When drinking on the go, it is easier to keep water bottles in the car than anything else.

Bring them to our dental office

When children visit our dental office, we make suggestions for how to make healthy choices and encourage them to do so. We back what parents are doing at home so a child truly understands the importance of making good choices. While here, we will also identify any oral health issues to ensure that they do not suffer from something like tooth decay.

Call our office to schedule an appointment today so we can help achieve healthy teeth for kids.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Meshia Azad DDS, request an appointment in our Lake Forest dental office here: https://dgfw-test-textcontrast.dgdevnext.com. Or call us at (949) 625-1570.

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