Eating healthy has a ton of benefits. As dentists, we love food options that keep your kid's smile bright. If your kid eats more junk food than you would like, you can cut back a little by offering these healthy alternatives:
- Drink water or milk instead of soda and juice. Soda and juice contain a lot of sugars that can damage teeth over time. Try to limit your child's soda or juice intake to no more than 4-6 ounces a day.
- Snack on dried fruit instead of candy. It's fun to chew on fruit-flavored candy, but try a piece of dried fruit instead. You'll get the same flavor, but with less damage to your teeth.
- Chew on sugar-free gum instead of gum with sugar additives. Cavities are a leading dental problem for kids, so cutting back on sugary gum will limit your child's exposure to the sugars that cause them.
- Bite into an apple instead of crackers. Apples do have some sugars, but coupled with the fibers of the fresh fruit, they wash away pretty quickly in your mouth.
- Incorporate as many veggies into your kid's diet as possible. Veggies are great at maintaining healthy teeth. The more you can offer your children, the more smiles you'll get out of their teeth.
As your child's pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to keep your child's smile healthy. If you have any questions for our office, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.
About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists
Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are doctor spouses who have been working as kids dentists in Tucson for years. They have deep ties to Tucson, as well as the surrounding Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and other areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children. If you’re looking for a general dentist for kids in Tucson, contact us today at (520) 544-8522.