Aside from their brushing and flossing habits, the food your child eats is the biggest factor in their oral hygiene. La Crosse Pediatric Dentistry of La Crosse, WI, wants to help you guide your child away from poor choices so they enjoy a brighter, healthier smile. The earlier you start limiting certain foods, the easier it will be for both you and your child.

Below are the four types of food pediatric dentists recommend cutting from your child’s diet:

• Hard Candy: Lollipops and other hard candies contain loads of sugar and make more contact with teeth than other treats. They also pose a risk of chipping or breaking teeth.
• Citrus: Although fruit is great for kids, watch how much of it is citrus. The acid in limes, grapefruit, and lemons can wear away enamel that protects teeth.
• Starches: Foods made with white flour — like chips and white bread — convert into simple sugars once eaten. Consuming too much starch can lead to tooth decay.
• Dried Fruit: Although a nice alternative to candy, limit your child’s dried fruit intake. When water is dried out of fruit, the sugar becomes concentrated and the gummy texture clings to teeth.

If you monitor what your child is eating while scheduling regular pediatric dentist visits, they should have no problem maintaining their beautiful smile. Give La Crosse Pediatric Dentistry a call at (608) 782-4054 to schedule an appointment for your child today. Visit their website to learn about all of their dental care services.