Your Diet Affects Your Child’s Teeth In The Womb

You might assume that since your child’s teeth don’t usually come in until around six months of age, that what you put into your body isn’t affecting their teeth until that point, but that’s not true. In fact, a baby’s teeth begin to develop between the third and sixth months of pregnancy, which is why it is so important to make healthy food choices throughout your pregnancy. This way, you’ll be setting your child up for a life full of healthy smiles!

But what should you be reaching for second helpings of, and which foods should you avoid when developing a nutritional plan when you’re pregnant? We answer those questions and more on our blog.

Tips To Follow During Pregnancy To Help Your Child’s Teeth

If you keep these tips in mind each day as your bundle of joy gets closer to their due date, we’re confident that they will be off to a strong start when it comes to their oral health:

• Variety is key. Eat a variety of healthy foods like vegetables, whole grain cereals and breads, dairy products and fruits.
• Avoid foods that are high in added sugar, like candy, cookies, sodas and juice. Even some dried fruits like raisins can have higher amounts of natural sugars than expected, so just keep an eye on the sugar count when eating and snacking.
• When snacking, look for foods like vegetables, fruits, cheeses and unsweetened yogurts, and again, watch the sugar count.
• Get an ample supply of certain nutrients, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, protein, calcium and phosphorus.
• Opt for water when possible over soda and juice, and drink it throughout the day to help keep you hydrated.
• Daily intake of 600 micrograms of folic acid has been linked with a reduction in birth defects, so you can either take it as a supplement, or get in naturally in foods like asparagus, broccoli, dark leafy vegetables, beans, oranges, strawberries, bananas, and grains fortified with folic acid.

Minnesota Dentist

Keeping these tips in mind, visiting a pediatrician as your child continues to grow and scheduling dental appointments for your kid at the appropriate age will all help their teeth get off to a great start. For more information about creating a nutritional plan during your pregnancy, or to schedule your child’s first dental visit (first visit by their first birthday!), contact Dr. Brooks’ office today.