Every parent\u2019s goal for their child\u2019s smile is to be bright, healthy, and cavity free. Following a great at-home dental care routine and taking them to their pediatric dentist every six months is important for achieving this goal. But don\u2019t forget about one of the most important factors in oral health\u2014a nutritious diet!<\/p>\n
The more healthy foods your child eats<\/a>, the more their oral health will flourish. Healthy eating habits instilled in childhood tend to follow kids through their teenage years and into adulthood.<\/p>\n Here are 8 of our top tips for parents who want to provide their kids with the most smile-friendly diet possible.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re looking for a new recipe to try or you\u2019re searching for a healthy, pre-made option, check the nutrition facts! A child’s diet should offer plenty of calcium, antioxidants<\/a>, and healthy fats. Dairy ingredients usually contain all three things.<\/p>\n When planning homemade meals, try to include as many whole foods as possible while limiting the number of processed ingredients. This alone can make a huge impact on your family\u2019s nutritional health. For an added health bonus, add in raw fruits and vegetables to your diet in the form of chopped salads or side dishes. Crunchy produce is great for teeth!<\/p>\n Food isn’t the only thing about a diet to pay attention to, it includes drinks. Kids love juice, but unfortunately juice drinks aren\u2019t so kind to their teeth. Juice can be loaded with as much sugar as a soda and contain enamel-harming levels of acidity. Children age 1-7 can have up to 6 fluid ounces of juice per day<\/a>, whereas kids age 7-18 can have up to 12. Regardless, save juice for mealtimes only.<\/p>\n The average school-age kid and teenager is dehydrated simply because they aren\u2019t drinking enough water<\/a>. You can encourage kids to drink more water by providing fun glasses, tumblers, or water bottles they can take around with them. Keep a few designs on hand and rotate between them to keep youngsters interested.<\/p>\n Completely avoiding sugar is unrealistic (and maybe impossible). A better option is to reduce sugar consumption and time sweet treats for the right moment. Eating something sweet with a meal actually reduces the amount of time the sugar is exposed to your child\u2019s tooth enamel compared to eating a sugary snack in the middle of the day. A post-dinner dessert followed by their bedtime brushing is even better timing.<\/p>\n1. Look for meals that are rich in calcium, antioxidants, and healthy fats.<\/h2>\n
2. Base your diet around whole foods first, then see how raw fruits and vegetables can be incorporated.<\/h2>\n
3. Limit daily fruit juice consumption.<\/h2>\n
4. Provide colorful cups and bottles to encourage more water consumption.<\/h2>\n
5. Save sweet items for post-dinner desserts rather than offering them as midday snacks.<\/h2>\n
6. Get your kids involved with meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking or baking.<\/h2>\n