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When it comes to ensuring kids have healthy teeth, one question that often comes up is: “Do kids need milk to keep their teeth healthy?” At Innovative Pediatric Dentistry, we want your kids to have the healthiest, strongest smiles so let’s talk about where milk fits into a picture of healthy teeth.

Our award-winning Naperville dentists will tackle the question, “Is milk good for teeth and gums?” and get to the bottom of whether drinking cow’s milk is essential for maintaining healthy teeth in children.

Is Milk Good for Your Teeth?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of kids ages 2-19 with untreated or restored cavities is around 46%. Drinking milk can help your kids avoid tooth decay and cavities because it has nutrients for building healthy teeth and gums.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that milk contains lactose — a sugar — which can sit on teeth and turn into plaque. The upside is that lactose results in less teeth-weakening acids than the sugar you’d find in sweet foods, drinks, and carbs. (BTW, test your knowledge of the worst, cavity-causing foods with this fun quiz!)

Our advice for getting the benefits of milk while minimizing the impact of its sugars? Swish with water after you drink milk, or pair it with veggies like crunchy carrots, broccoli, or celery, which act as tiny scrubbers that can clean your child’s teeth.

So What Are The Nutrients in Milk For Maintaining Healthy Teeth?

Cow’s milk naturally has calcium and phosphorus, nutrients that help build and maintain healthy teeth. The acids that happen as a result of your oral bacteria feeding off the sugars from your food weaken tooth enamel and attack the calcium in your teeth. So, it’s safe to say you need to consistently replenish that calcium.

Milk is one of your answers. Together with casein, a protein in milk, calcium and phosphorus help mineralize the enamel, strengthening teeth and making them more resistant to cavities and decay.

Milk is also fortified with vitamin D. As one of the key vitamins for teeth, vitamin D’s job is to regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.

Getting Nutrients for Healthy Teeth If You Can’t Drink Milk

While milk is an excellent source of nutrients that support dental health, you may be wondering, “Do kids really need milk or can they get the vitamins for their teeth from other dietary sources?” For kids who can’t drink cow’s milk because of lactose intolerance, allergies, or dietary preferences, the good news is that you’ve got many cow milk alternatives that offer the same vital nutrients for healthy teeth.

Plant-based milk options like almond, soy, and oat milk are typically fortified with calcium and vitamin D and their amounts of teeth-building nutrients are usually pretty comparable. You can also find these nutrients for happy teeth and gums in dark, leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fish.

Bottom line? Whether meals or snacks, at home or away, a varied diet rich in whole foods, colorful veggies and fruit, protein, milk or milk alternatives, and lots of water go a long way in healthy teeth and cavity prevention.

Other Vitamins for Teeth

Beyond calcium and vitamin D, vitamins A and C are also important for maintaining healthy gums and preventing gum disease. Vitamin A is added to cow’s milk and milk alternatives and is also found naturally in foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. This vitamin also promotes saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria, contains calcium, and helps change an acidic oral pH to a more teeth-friendly pH.

And vitamin C? Vitamin C isn’t in milk but is abundant in citrus fruits and berries. It strengthens blood vessels and reduces inflammation, protecting the gums from infection.

Cavity Prevention Beyond Just Drinking Milk

Preventing cavities goes beyond just drinking milk. Encourage good dental hygiene (and make it fun!), like brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily. Limit sugary snacks and beverages, which can contribute to tooth decay, and promote a healthy diet rich in nutrients for healthy teeth. And of course, come see us at Innovative Pediatric Dentistry every six months for a check-up and cleaning so we can help your child’s smile sparkle!

Stories, snuggles, and “sweet dreams” might be your kids’ must-have menu at bedtime, but as your Naperville dentists, we also want to add, don’t skip an oral hygiene routine at bedtime! After all, it can make a huge difference when it comes to cavity prevention for your kids. Keep sugar monsters at bay with these five tips from your Naperville pediatric dentist at Innovative Pediatric Dentistry, for whichever stage your child is in.

1. Start Early With Babies (6 months to 2 years old)

It’s never too early to start cavity prevention! For babies, oral hygiene begins even before those first teensy weensy teeth come up. Here’s what to do to keep those gummy smiles sparkling:

• Wipe the Gums: As you know, babies eat almost around the clock… and sleep that way, too. So there isn’t so much a “bedtime routine” when it comes to oral care for babies. Instead, use a clean, damp cloth to gently wipe your baby’s gums after every feeding. This helps remove bacteria and sets the stage for good oral hygiene habits.
• Introduce a Soft Toothbrush: The first has appeared, yay! Start brushing twice a day with a child-sized soft-bristled toothbrush and a tiny smear of kids’ fluoride toothpaste. This is crucial against early childhood cavities.
• No Bottles to Bed: Avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice. Your wee one’s teeth will end up coated in sugars while they sleep, which can contribute to cavities. However, if your baby is only soothed to sleep with a bottle, fill it with water instead.

2. Encourage Fun for Toddlers and Preschoolers (2-5 years old)

As babies grow into walking, talking tornados, their oral hygiene needs to evolve with them. For this age group, a big focus is making bedtime oral care enjoyable. A few tips and tricks for making brushing your kids’ teeth fun in the evening? Try these:

• Brushing Bedtime Stories: The top thing you can do to encourage cavity prevention for toddlers or preschool kids is diligent brushing, twice a day. Make brushing an extra fun activity at night by pairing it with listening to a bedtime story. Play one from your favorite storytime app or Spotify.
• Use A Song As A Two-Minute Timer: Play or sing your kiddo’s favorite song as you brush their teeth to help the recommended two-minute brushing time go by in a flash. Try several verses (aka animals) of “Old MacDonald’s Farm,” “B-I-N-G-O” or “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain” are some that come to mind.
• Let Your Child Brush Their Own Teeth (First): Let your child first brush their own teeth before you finish up with a more thorough cleaning. Letting them brush at this young age is a great way to give them an early sense of independence over their oral care while your follow-up is key for preventing cavities in your kids’ teeth.
• Introduce Floss: We’ve had many parents ask us about when to start with floss for their kids’ teeth. The simple answer is: start flossing between teeth when they touch. This can happen in these early childhood years with a few teeth and with more teeth touching in elementary school.

3. Set Up School-Aged Children For Success

How to encourage good oral care and prevent cavities in school-aged kids? Teach the right techniques and provide the right tools. Help your kids build their own oral hygiene bedtime routine with the following:

• The Best Brush and Floss Order: Dental professionals like your Naperville pediatric dentists agree: the more effective brush and floss order is floss then brush. Flossing first removes food particles and plaque between teeth, and following up with brushing cleans the surface of teeth and gums and anything your child’s dislodged from flossing.
• Floss At Night: Now, should you floss at night or in the morning? The American Dental Association says that either is effective, but the upside of flossing at night is removing food debris and plaque that’d otherwise sit on your child’s teeth while they sleep. You also may have more time at night for flossing since there’s no need to rush off to school!
• Use Fluoride Toothpaste: Make sure your child uses a fluoride toothpaste in a fun flavor they like to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.

4. Establish A Reward System

Positive reinforcement can motivate children from toddlers through school-age to stick with their oral hygiene routine:

• Sticker Charts: Create a sticker chart for nightly brushing and flossing. A full week (or however long you decide) of consistent habits can earn a reward.
• Special Treats: Rewards don’t have to be sugary treats. In fact, we encourage non-sweet treats like extra playtime, a new book, or a fun outing.

5. Model Excellent Oral Hygiene Yourself!

From toddlers on up, your kids take their cues from you. Yes, a weighty responsibility but when it comes to dental health, it’s a win-win. Model excellent oral hygiene at bedtime and you’ll do your own oral health a favour AND your kids will catch on that dental care is cool. Whether it’s letting your toddlers brush your teeth (yes, sloppy but fun!) or brushing your teeth together with your elementary-school aged kids, modeling that you love caring for your own smile goes a long way in them taking care of theirs.

Psst… need even more tips? Download our Kids’ Teeth Brushing Guide for more fun ways to inspire your kids to love caring for their teeth!

Adding Professional Pediatric Dental Care To the Mix

As pediatric dentists, we can safely say that cavity prevention for kids starts at home, including a great oral hygiene bedtime routine. But keeping those mouth monsters away is also a team effort with your dental care professionals. Level up with regular visits to your pediatric dentist for professional cleaning and check-ups, plus tailored advice on how to prevent cavities. Your child will have a blast with us — with our high tech approach and expert team, Innovative Pediatric Dentistry is all about making kids dental care fun, comfortable, and effective!

Contact us for your next check up.

It’s officially Spring. Otherwise known for some as Allergy Season. It’s a time that can be tough on everyone, but for kids, it can be especially uncomfortable and have some unexpected effects on their oral health. While most parents are on the lookout for sneezes and sniffles, there’s a lesser-known side to seasonal allergies that involves teeth.

Here, your Naperville pediatric dentists at Innovative Pediatric Dentistry talk about five ways allergy season can impact your child’s teeth and gums, and what you can do to help. Get ready to tackle allergies and teeth troubles with ease!

1. Tooth Pain from Sinus Pressure

Tooth pain from allergies? Woah. Yes, one of the most surprising connections between allergies and oral health is the tooth pain caused by sinus congestion. When allergies strike, your kiddo’s sinuses can become inflamed and swollen, leading to pressure they can feel in their teeth. This discomfort is often felt in the upper back teeth since they are close to the sinus area. If your child complains of tooth pain, it could be from sinuses affected by allergies.

How to Manage It:

• Ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids to help thin mucus.
• Use a cool-mist humidifier in your child’s room to reduce sinus congestion.
• Consult with a pediatrician about appropriate allergy medications.
• Give your child over-the-counter pain relief such as kids’ ibuprofen or acetaminophen at the recommended dosage for their age or weight.

We also suggest making an appointment with your Naperville pediatric dentists to double-check that your child’s tooth pain doesn’t stem from a dental problem like cavities or gum disease!

2. Tooth Sensitivity

Seasonal allergies can also cause tooth sensitivity in some kids. How? Nasal inflammation can put pressure on tooth roots and nerves, making your child’s teeth feel sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks.

How to Manage It:

• Use a soft- or extra-soft bristled toothbrush to lessen the pressure your kids put on their teeth when brushing. Kids (and let’s be honest, adults, too!) tend to brush their teeth too hard so a soft toothbrush will be more gentle on sensitive teeth.
• Experiment with finding the type of foods that won’t hurt your child’s teeth. One plus side is that it’s a good opportunity to cut down on sweet foods and drinks!
• Try a tooth sensitivity toothpaste formulated especially for kids. Most toothpaste for sensitive teeth is for ages 12+ so check labels carefully. Or ask us for our top picks!

3. Dry Mouth from Medications

Many common allergy medications, including antihistamines and inhalers, can reduce saliva production, leading to dry mouth. Saliva is crucial for washing away food particles and neutralizing acids produced by oral bacteria. How can a drier mouth and less saliva negatively impact your child’s oral health? Simply put, their teeth can be more susceptible to cavities and gum disease.

How to Manage It:

• Encourage your child to sip water throughout the day. (Send a reusable water bottle to school with them.)
• Offer sugar-free chewing gum to stimulate saliva production, especially one with xylitol which has the added advantage of actually being good for your teeth!
• Discuss with your pediatric dentist or doctor about using medications that have minimal effects on saliva production.

4. Bad Breath from Postnasal Drip

Another oral health challenge during allergy season is bad breath caused by postnasal drip. What is postnasal drip? It’s when excess mucus from the sinuses drips down the back of the throat, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. These bacteria can produce foul-smelling compounds, leading to persistent bad breath.

You can tell that your child might have postnasal drip if they’re clearing their throat a lot or coughing when they’re not actually sick.

How to Manage It:

• Maintain good dental hygiene, including brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.
• Find a kid-friendly, non-alcohol based antibacterial mouthwash. Make sure it has fluoride too, for added teeth strengthening!
• Drink extra water throughout the day.
• Use a tongue scraper to remove mucus and bacteria from the tongue.
• Lessen dairy products, which can thicken mucus.
• Consult with your family doctor or pediatrician for treatments or medications that will manage your child’s allergies more effectively.
• Gargle with salt water to draw the mucus out of the sinuses. Dissolve a tablespoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Have your child gargle and spit until the whole glass is gone.

5. Gum Inflammation

Allergies can not only trigger respiratory symptoms but also inflammation throughout the body, including the gums. Inflamed gum tissue can be more susceptible to irritation and infection, potentially leading to gingivitis or more severe gum disease in susceptible kids.

How to Manage It:

• Level up your child’s oral hygiene routine, especially during allergy season. This can include ensuring they brush for the recommended two-minute time span, and adding dental floss and mouthwash (with fluoride!) to their at-home dental care routine.
• Consider getting your child a water flosser like this kid’s Waterpik. It’s a fun way to help remove debris and plaque along the gumline and can soothe irritated gums, too.
• Schedule regular dental check-ups with your child’s pediatric dentist to monitor and manage gum health.

Keeping Up Those Smiles Throughout the Allergy Season

Understanding the link between allergies and teeth can help you manage your child’s oral symptoms when they flare up. Take a proactive approach with excellent dental care and managing allergy symptoms to help your child feel better. Don’t let the pollen count get your child down—let’s keep your kiddo’s smile healthy and bright all season long!

Contact your award-winning Naperville pediatric dentists, we’re here to help your child enjoy their happiest and healthiest smile, 365 days a year. Our technology-forward pediatric dental office is fun, upbeat and sensory-friendly.

Let’s be real, sometimes an upcoming trip to the dentist isn’t an event your kid is super excited about. They may even feel anxious about it, maybe because they don’t know what to expect. As your Naperville pediatric dentists, we’ve found that a great way to help kids feel more confident about a dental visit is to introduce the idea well beforehand. How? We suggest reading fun kids books about dental health and the dentist.

In honor of Children’s Dental Health Month, the team at Innovative Pediatric Dentistry has compiled a list of seven recommended reads that can help your children with overcoming their fear of the dentist.

1. The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan & Jan Berenstain

A classic series, you can always count on Mama and Papa Bear, and Brother and Sister Bear to cover relatable life lessons. In The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist, Sister Bear wakes up with a loose tooth and goes along with Brother Bear to have the dentist take a look. It’s Sister Bear’s first time visiting the dentist and she’s a bit scared so the story aims to set Sister Bear (and your child!) at ease by explaining what will happen at the dentist, including how cavities are filled and what dental tools the dentist uses.

2. Daniel Goes to the Dentist (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood)

If you have a little one, you’re likely familiar with the show, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. ICYMI, there’s an episode about Daniel going to the dentist for the first time and it’s been adapted into a children’s book about the dentist. Daniel is nervous about his first time visiting Dr. Plat so Dr. Plat walks Daniel through everything at his check-up and cleaning to put him at ease.

3. Curious George Visits the Dentist by Margret & H.A Rey

Another beloved character of children’s books with a tale (or is it tail?) about the dentist? Curious George. One of the most timeless children’s books about visiting the dentist, George bites into a wax apple which results in a wiggly tooth. The man in the yellow hat takes him to the dentist but since George has never been, he’s a bit nervous. George being George, he gets up to some shenanigans at the dentist’s office, making new friends with other kids and dentist, Dr. Wang. George concludes that the dentist isn’t such a scary place… it’s actually fun!

4. The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss

With its signature zany rhymes and nonsensical words, this Dr Suess book is one of the silliest and over-the-top books about teeth and dental health. But in its rhyme, you’ll have a great time, learning facts about teeth, the dentist, and the importance of taking care of your smile.

5. Peppa Pig Dentist Trip (published by Scholastic)

Peppa Pig. Need we say more? The book Peppa Pig Dentist Trip is based on an episode of the popular show. Here, good big sister Peppa helps little George see that their trip to the dentist is nothing to worry about. It’s one of the must-read children’s books about visiting the dentist that you and your child will take to heart. Just be sure to remind your child that we don’t have any elephant dentists at Innovative Pediatric Dentistry like in Peppa Pig!

6. My First Visit to the Dentist by Rachel Grider

If your child has never been to the dentist, this is one of the children’s books about visiting the dentist you cannot miss. Written by a dental hygienist, this book teaches kids how to keep their smile healthy, introduces dental terms, and talks about the dentist in a positive way.

7. We’re Going to the Dentist: Going for a Check-Up by Marion Cocklico

Have a toddler who’s a bit worried about going to the dentist? We’re Going to the Dentist is an interactive book that can help preschool children with overcoming their fear of the dentist. Fun flaps, pull-tabs and a wheel provide a memorable sensory experience for learning about the dentist.

No Biggie! Making Kids Dental Care Fun For Your Little One

Hopefully, our picks for the seven best children’s books about visiting the dentist will help your kiddo walk into our Naperville pediatric dental office with confidence. And as a parent, you can have peace of mind knowing that our gentle touch, high-tech approach, and colorful office means a more comfortable, efficient, and exciting experience at every step.

Make your child’s appointment today at Naperville’s award-winning pediatric dentist!

Hands down, the foods your kids eat play a crucial role in their oral health — whether for good or bad. That’s why your Naperville pediatric dental team at Innovative Pediatric Dentistry wants to highlight the worst and best foods for your kids’ teeth so you know which foods to serve and which to stay away from.

Foods High in Sugar? Oral Health Enemy #1

The worst foods for teeth are the ones high in sugar. Oral bacteria thrives on sugar and in processing it, produces acids that weaken tooth enamel which can then lead to cavities. Foods high in simple sugars like sticky candies, sugary drinks, and fruit juices lead the charge.

What about complex sugars, like carbs? When it comes to dental health, the simple answer is, yes, starchy foods also promote plaque. As this 2021 study shows, simple versus complex sugars have the same effect on teeth health and tooth decay.

Give Your Teeth a Break!

We can’t forget to mention that how often you eat plays a role in your teeth health. Your saliva needs time to neutralize the acids produced by the sugar-eating bacteria and bring your oral environment back to a balanced pH. So constant snacking? Not good for cavity prevention in kids. A good rule of thumb is allowing two hours between meals and snacks.

The Sour Stuff: Another Cavity Contributor

Acidic foods like citrus fruits and sour candies can also contribute to weakening your kids’ enamel and contribute to cavities in your kids’ teeth.

A Reminder About Healthy Foods For Your Kids’ Teeth

Go on the offensive and help your child build strong and healthy teeth and gums with foods rich in Vitamins A, C, and D, along with calcium and phosphorus. Vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean protein, dairy or dairy alternatives, and healthy fats all have vitamins and minerals for promoting healthy teeth. Plus, crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots act like toothbrushes, scrubbing away plaque and stimulating saliva while you eat.

Quiz Time! Which Foods Are the Worst for Teeth?

Now that you’ve had a crash course on the best and worst foods for teeth, test what you know by answering these four questions!

1. Which snack pairing represents the worst foods for your kids’ teeth?

1. Skittles and a soda
2. Cheese string and salami
3. Apple slices and orange wedges
4. Crackers and natural peanut butter

Answer: A) Skittles and a soda. This is the worst food pairing for kids’ teeth as they both are high in sugar (and the soda is acidic, too). BTW, check out our list of teeth-happy snacks for kids.

2. Which of these would contribute the most to tooth decay?

1. Whole grain bread
2. Milk chocolate candy bar
3. Hot dogs
4. Grapes

Answer: B) Milk chocolate, because it’s full of sugar and sticks to teeth. Grapes come in second because of their acidic pH level.

3. Which drink should be consumed in moderation to prevent the tooth enamel erosion that can lead to cavities in kids?

1. Milk
2. Water
3. Carbonated soft drinks
4. Sweet tea

Answer: C) Carbonated soft drinks. Soda and fizzy drinks often contain high levels of sugar and are acidic. Sweet tea and milk follow because of the added sugar in the tea and the lactose in milk.

4. Which of these breakfasts is the worst option because of its high sugar content?

1. Oatmeal with honey and raisins
2. Scrambled eggs with spinach
3. Whole grain toast with avocado
4. Greek yogurt with fresh berries

Answer: A) Oatmeal with honey and raisins. While oatmeal can be healthy, adding honey and raisins increases its sugar content.

More Cavity Prevention from your Naperville Pediatric Dentist

Got the jist of the best and worst foods for your kids’ teeth? Great! Now take cavity prevention for your kids to the next level with regular check-ups and cleanings with your pediatric dentist. Book your next visit with the award-winning dentists at Innovative Pediatric Dentistry and we’ll help bring out your little one’s best smiles.