Being a parent comes with a lot of questions about what’s truly best for your little one. What clothes should I buy them? What school should I send them to? But one question that no one seems to have figured out completely is, “what foods should they stay away from?” Luckily, we’ve compiled this list of tips on what foods to avoid for children based on age group.
Toddlers
Young children have more taste buds than adults do, since they lose them as they get older. As a result, sweet things taste even better to them. However, it’s important to not let them have too much candy or juice, as that could cause cavities. If you’re going to send your little one off to bed with a bottle or sippy cup, make sure it’s filled with water, not juice or milk. Otherwise, you could cause baby bottle tooth decay, or cavities from their teeth constantly being exposed to sugary drinks.
Also, it’s a good idea for your toddler to stay away from small foods that could be a choking hazard. These include slippery foods like whole grapes, small foods like nuts or seeds, and sticky foods like marshmallows or peanut butter.
Kids
Kids generally still love juice, but you should try and limit how much they drink in a day. Too much can result in tooth decay. Also, stay away from citrus fruits like lemons and grapefruits. This includes drinks like lemonade. Although lemonade can be a refreshing way to cool down on a hot day, the drink contains lots of acid that can wear away at your child’s tooth enamel.
Avoid chewy candies like caramel and gummies. These sweets stay stuck to the teeth for a long time. When sugar is exposed to the teeth for this long, it increases the risk of cavities.
Finally, limit consumption of starchy foods like bread and potato chips. Bacteria in plaque break down starch in the same way they do sugar, creating acids that eat away at tooth enamel and result in cavities and gum disease.
Teens
Many teenagers drink a lot of soda, so it’s a good idea to warn them about the dangers of soft drinks on their teeth. Even if they opt for a sugar-free version, soda contains a high amount of acid, which wears down enamel. If your teen wants a healthier drink to sip on, suggest water. It does a better job of hydrating while not harming your teen’s pearly whites.
The teenage years are a prime time for getting braces. Be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions on what not to eat, such as sticky or crunchy foods that could get stuck or break a bracket.
It can be hard to figure out exactly what not to feed your child. Stick to the tips listed in this guide and you should be good to go.
About the Author
Dr. Asim Awan is a pediatric dentist in Naperville, IL who is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He works hard every day to make sure all of his patients have a fun time while receiving the quality dental care they need. For more tips on what foods for your child to avoid, contact Dr. Awan by calling (630) 995-3393.