Healthy Eating for Your Baby’s Teeth During Pregnancy

Did you know that a baby’s teeth begin to develop between the third and sixth months of pregnancy? Making smart food choices early in pregnancy can help set your child up for healthy teeth throughout their lives. During your pregnancy, a sufficient quantity of nutrients, especially vitamins A, C, and D, protein, calcium, and phosphorus, are needed.

To assist you in making healthy eating choices, the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Policy Center has compiled these tips to follow during pregnancy:

Tips for Healthy Eating During Pregnancy

1. Eat a Variety of Healthy Foods:
   • Fruits
   • Vegetables
   • Whole-grain products like cereals and bread
   • Dairy products like milk, cheese, cottage cheese, or unsweetened yogurt
2. Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks:
   • Reduce intake of candy, cookies, cake, and dried fruit
   • Drink fewer sugary beverages like juice, fruit-flavored drinks, and soft drinks
3. Choose Low-Sugar Snacks:
   • Opt for fruits, vegetables, cheese, and unsweetened yogurt
4. Read Food Labels:
   • Choose foods lower in sugar by reading the labels
5. Manage Nausea with Healthy Foods:
   • Eat small amounts of healthy foods throughout the day if you experience nausea
6. Stay Hydrated:
   • Drink water or milk instead of sugary drinks
   • Drink fluoridated water or bottled water containing fluoride
7. Get Enough Folic Acid:
   • Aim for 600 micrograms of folic acid each day
   • Take a dietary supplement of folic acid
   • Eat foods high in folate and fortified with folic acid, including:
     • Asparagus, broccoli, and leafy green vegetables like lettuce and spinach
     • Legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils
     • Papaya, tomato juice, oranges, orange juice, strawberries, cantaloupe, and bananas
     • Grain products fortified with folic acid like bread, cereals, cornmeal, flour, pasta, and white rice

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your baby has a healthy start with strong teeth and overall well-being.