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'Oral Health Dietary Guidelines for Expectant Mothers and Preschool Children' [in] Causes of Dental Cavities and the Role of Good Nutrition
 

Children with disabilities may have complications in assuring proper oral health and nutritional care. This tip sheet provides disabilities coordinators, health managers, and other Head Start staff with developmentally appropriate guidelines to assure good oral health and nutrition in preschool-age children.

The following is an excerpt from...


'Oral Health Dietary Guidelines for Expectant Mothers and Preschool Children' [in] Causes of Dental Cavities and the Role of Good Nutrition

Pregnant Women

  • Follow the Food Guide Pyramid, taking into account increased needs for pregnancy
  • Take prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement as prescribed
  • Limit intake of cariogenic foods, especially as between-meal snacks
Birth to One Year
  • Avoid allowing infants to sleep or nap with a bottle
  • Avoid excessive consumption of juice
  • Eliminate dipping pacifiers in sweetened foods
One to Two Years
  • Avoid frequent consumption of juice or other sweet drinks in a bottle or sippy cup
  • Encourage weaning from a bottle to a cup
  • Continue avoidance of taking the bottle to bed
  • Promote "tooth-safe" foods for snacks
  • Foster routine eating patterns and following the Food Guide Pyramid
Two to Five Years
  • Discourage slowly eaten, sweet foods, such as candy, lollipops, or suckers.
  • Promote "tooth-safe" foods for snacks
  • Encourage eating at meals following the Food Guide Pyramid
See also:
     Oral Health Head Start Bulletin #71

" 'Oral Health Dietary Guidelines for Expectant Mothers and Preschool Children' [in] Causes of Dental Cavities and the Role of Good Nutrition." Head Start and Partners Forum on Oral Health. Head Start Bulletin #71. HHS/ACF/ACYF/HSB. 2001. English.