Healthy teeth don’t just come from brushing—they start with the foods kids eat. Here’s a quick checklist to help you guide your child’s diet for a cavity-free smile:
✅ Foods that help strengthen teeth:
- Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt (high in calcium and phosphate)
- Crunchy fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, and celery (stimulate saliva, naturally cleaning teeth)
- Nuts and seeds (provide minerals that support enamel)
✅ Drinks to choose carefully:
- Water is always best, especially fluoridated water
- Limit sugary drinks, juice, and soda (even diet versions can contribute to enamel wear)
✅ Foods to limit:
- Sticky candies and gummies that cling to teeth
- Starchy snacks like chips and crackers that turn into sugar in the mouth
- Frequent snacking between meals, which increases acid attacks
✅ Meal habits that protect teeth:
- Serve sugary foods as part of a meal, not on their own
- Encourage rinsing with water after snacks
- Include a source of protein or dairy at every meal
With this simple checklist, you can make snack time a teeth-friendly zone—without making your child feel restricted. Over time, these choices build healthy habits that last a lifetime.
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