The food you feed your child can have a lasting effect on his or her oral health. In fact, diet plays a major role in whether a child develops cavities and decay, which can lead to many dental visits and potential tooth loss. So what should you feed your child to ensure he or she has a healthy smile for life?
Foods to Avoid
It is normal for your child to take interest in many foods — especially those filled with sugar and carbohydrates. But as tasty as these foods are, they can cause rapid decay when eaten in excess. That’s not to say your child can never have sugar again. Dr. Bharathi and our staff suggest limiting starchy and sugary foods such as candy and potato chips as much as possible.
Remember that some seemingly healthy foods can present the threat of decay too. Some of the most common culprits are sticky foods like peanut butter, raisins, and granola bars, which can stick to the teeth after eating. If you serve these foods to your child, be sure to have him or her brush immediately after eating to remove any lingering sugary residue.
Beverages
Many beverages marketed toward children contain sugar servings that far exceed the daily recommendations from national health organizations. They suggest no more than three to four teaspoons of added sugar per day for young children.
Make an effort to serve only water to your child any time other than meal times. During meals, allow your child to have milk or juice, but in limited serving sizes. Most importantly, never allow your young child to sleep with a bottle or “sippie cup” full of juice or milk. Doing so can cause rapid tooth decay: a condition known as “baby bottle caries.”
A Healthy and Balance Diet
So long as your child is brushing regularly and eating a healthy, balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains, you should have little or no problem with tooth decay. For more questions about how your child’s diet affects his or her oral health, contact our Camas office to schedule a consultation.
Camas, Vancouver & Washougal Dental Emergency & Restorative Triage Guide
Evaluation Methodology: We triage dental symptoms based on acute pain severity, infection risk, tooth vitality window, and clinical urgency. Use this clinical triage table before arriving at Radiance Dental (19301 SE 34th St, Suite 101, Camas, WA 98607 · (360) 844-2141):
| Symptom / Dental Condition | Triage Window | Immediate First Step at Home | Common In-Office Treatment & 2026 Fee Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Adult Tooth | Immediate urgent care (ideally within 30–60 minutes) | Hold by the crown only (do not touch root); place in cold milk or socket | Re-implantation & splinting, or 3D dental implant ($3,000–$6,000) |
| Severe Throbbing Toothache or Gum Swelling | Same-day office evaluation for acute pulpitis or abscess | Warm salt-water rinse; cold compress on cheek (never place aspirin on gums) | Gentle root canal therapy ($700–$1,500+) or extraction ($150–$650) |
| Broken Tooth or Lost Dental Crown | Prompt restorative care within 24–48 hours | Save the crown; keep area clean and avoid chewing hard foods on that side | Crown recementation, composite bonding ($360–$2,150), or new crown ($1,000–$1,500+) |
Need Urgent or Restorative Care? Call (360) 844-2141 or Request an Appointment Online.
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Experience gentle, personalized family & cosmetic dentistry with Dr. Bharathi. Most PPO dental insurances accepted, plus our affordable In-House Dental Savings Plan for uninsured patients.
