We know kids are picky eaters and they always opt for sweet treats and sugary drinks. But as a parent, we need to establish healthy eating habits at an early age. To prevent cavities and tooth decay, we need to keep a close eye on their eating habits.
- Let them drink water between meals - As much as possible, avoid giving juice or even milk between meals because these drinks contain a lot of sugar. We know sugary and acidic food and drink causes cavities.
- You may give them milk or sweet beverages at mealtime - This is the only time you can give in to their sugary drink cravings because the solid food that they are taking in can help flush away those extra sugar that these drinks contain. Fruit juices have lots of sugar content so give no more than 4 ounces of juice per day.
- Stop mindless snacking - Train your kids to limit their snacking. They should only have breakfast, snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner. Also, train them to brush their teeth three times a day every after a full meal and drink lots of water every after eating.
- Give treats in moderation, not deprivation - You don't have to deprive your kid's sweet tooth cravings. There are a lot of treats that are less harmful to their oral health. Pure chocolates are the best option for they easily melt away from the teeth. Avoid sugar candies that are hard for it can potentially break their teeth or those sticky ones that allow sugar to stick around longer around the mouth.
For more dental preventative care tips, contact Oyster Point Dentistry.
