For healthy teeth, what foods and drinks should I avoid giving my child?

What you eat and drink, and how often you eat and drink, can affect your teeth. Teach your child early the value that eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals can have on his health.

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. To help control the amount of sugar your child consumes, read food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars. Also, select beverages, such as water, that hydrate and contribute to good nutrition.

To ensure a healthy smile, don't forget to teach your child to brush twice a day and floss once a day!

A key aspect of good dental health is limiting or eliminating your child's consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Avoid sticky sweets such as fruit rollups, candy, and cookies. Some foods such as chips and crackers are less obvious sources of sugar. Rather than giving these as snacks, make them part of a larger meal. Drinks are another less obvious source of sugar. Juices, lemonade, flavored drinks, and pop all contain sugar that can contribute to tooth decay.