Establishing good nutritional habits for your kids can be beneficial for their development and food choices for the rest of their lives. The mouth is the doorway to your body: Whatever gets consumed not only affects your child’s growth/development, weight, and energy levels, but their oral health as well. Eating a balanced and nutritious meal is essential for a healthy mouth.

General Tips for a Healthy Diet & a Healthy Mouth

Limit your child’s consumption of sugary foods and beverages. When oral bacteria combines with the sugars and starches in the mouth, an acid is produced that attacks enamel on the teeth leading to cavities.

• Foods that won’t cause cavities
  • Raw crunchy or leafy vegetables
  • Cheese
  • Nuts
  • 100% Nut Butters
  • Meats
  • Eggs
  • Water
• Foods that usually won’t cause cavities
  • Whole milk (when not mixed with other substances)
  • Fresh fruit (crunchy is best)
  • Whole grain bread
  • Popcorn
  • Fresh Smoothies
  • Dark chocolate (>70% cacao)
  • Yogurt
  • Ice cream (don’t get carried away, but it rinses away better than other desserts)
  • Oatmeal
• Foods that easily cause cavities
  • Candies (the stickier the candies, the worst they are for your teeth)
  • Soda (the mix of the sugars and carbonation are extra bad)
  • Juice (the more acidic- lemon & oranges, the worse they are)
  • Chocolate milk
  • Cookies
  • Dried fruit
  • Pretzels & crackers
  • Sports drinks
• Never leave a bottle in bed with your baby!
• Always try to have a sip of water after every meal or snack.
• Give your child 4-6 organized “mini-meals” a day with only water in between.
• When he or she is old enough, let your child chew sugar-free gum that carries the ADA seal. Chewing sugar-free gum increases saliva flow, which washes away food debris and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria.
• Ensure your child brushes twice a day and flosses to eliminate food debris that leads to harmful plaque and bacteria, and causes tooth decay.