Healthy eating is essential for your child’s good health, growth and development. 

Healthy eating in childhood means they will have less chance of developing chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancers. It will also mean they feel better, look better and enjoy life more.

Certain foods increase tooth strength, protect teeth from cavities, and/or naturally clean the teeth. Other foods tend to linger on teeth, feeding the natural bacteria present in the mouth which attack the teeth and cause decay.

Keeping teeth healthy, whether your own or your children’s, depends on several factors. You know you should floss once a day, brush your teeth twice a day, and see your dental professional regularly, but your diet also plays a role in the health of your teeth. Foods high in sugar are a particularly common cause of tooth decay. You don’t need to avoid them altogether, but making them a treat rather than a staple will help protect your teeth for years to come. Consider adding some foods low in sugar to your regular meal plan to increase both your family’s general health and that of their teeth.

To maintain a balanced diet, eat a variety of foods from each of the five major food groups and limit the number of snacks you eat. If you do snack, choose nutritious foods such as cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, or a piece of fruit. And remember that foods eaten as part of a meal cause less harm because the saliva released helps wash foods from the mouth and lessen the effects of acids.