Children’s Dentistry: Nutrition and Dental Health Tips For Children

1. Importance of Nutrition in Children’s Dental Health Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food and have a bright beautiful smile. A good diet is essential for a child’s growth and development. Almost all foods, including milk or vegetables, have some type of sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay. So What Should We Eat? Fruits and vegetables: Combined these should be half of what your child eats every day. Grains: Make sure at least half of their grains are whole grains, such as oatmeal, whole wheat bread and brown rice. Dairy: Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy foods. Lean proteins: Make lean protein choices, such as lean beef, skinless poultry and fish. Try to vary protein choices to include eggs, beans, peas and legumes, too. Eat at least 8 oz. of seafood a week. Apart from nutrition, here are some tips for your children’s good dental health by Desired Smiles. Say no to sweet stuff: To prevent cavities, your baby’s bottle should only contain formula, breast milk or water. Avoid juice, pop, chocolate milk or any other sugary drinks.

2. No bottles in bed: If your child needs a bottle to fall asleep, make sure it’s filled with water. If any other liquid stays in a child’s mouth for a long time, it can cause severe decay, also known as “bottle mouth.” Start early: Good oral care starts before teething.Before the baby teeth come in, clean your baby’s gums a couple of times a day using a soft moistened cloth or a piece of gauze.  Brush, brush: Once teeth start coming in (usually at around 6-12 months), clean them with a soft toothbrush. At first, just wet it. Then, at around age one, introduce them to a non-fluoridated toothpaste.  Visit the dentist. Your child’s first dental visit should happen around age one –it’s a great time to start building comfort, trust and a healthy attitude towards dental care. At Desired Smiles, our specially designed children’s program helps children take control of their health. Contact Desired Smiles for children dentistry not only in Oakville but Burlington, Hamilton & Mississauga as well. Address :2180 Itabashi Way Unit C, Burlington, ON L7M 5A5  Call : (905) 637-5463 or (905) 332-0105  Website : www.desiredsmiles.com