'Oral Health Dietary Guidelines: For Expectant Mothers and Preschool Children' [in] Causes of Dental Cavities and the Role of Good Nutrition - Head Start

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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


Following dietary guidelines that limit the quantity of and time of exposure to foods containing a lot of sugar improves the oral health of infants and preschool children. Nutrition coordinators, health managers, and dental service providers for Head Start programs will find these guidelines in this tip sheet from Head Start Bulletin #71 helpful in menu planning and useful for parental education.

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: Head Start Bulletin #71 [PDF, 1.5MB] Causes of Dental Cavities and the Role of Good Nutrition

" '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. DHHS/ACF/ACYF/HSB. 2001. English.

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Last Updated: May 19, 2009