Milk alternatives are becoming more popular among kids and adults. This includes soymilk, almond milk, oat milk, and more. But is almond milk good for your child’s teeth? Should you choose it instead of cow milk? Find out now in this blog from Marshfield Pediatric Dentistry. We’ll explain everything you need to know!
Is Almond Milk Good For My Child’s Teeth? Yes – But Only If It’s Not Too Sweet
Overall, almond milk is pretty good for your child’s teeth. Almonds contain a lot of great nutrients like potassium, vitamin and Vitamin E. And while it’s usually lower in calcium and vitamin D compared to cow milk, there are products on the market that are fortified with additional vitamin D and calcium, both of which are essential for your child’s oral health.
Almond milk also has less fat and calories than cow’s milk. This is not something that parents usually have to worry about, but it’s still something to consider when choosing between almond milk and cow’s milk.
However, almond milk doesn’t contain nearly as much calcium and vitamin D as cow’s milk. So if your child is not going to be drinking cow’s milk, you should make sure they get more calcium and vitamin D from other food sources.
Good dairy sources of calcium include yogurt and cheese, but if your child is dairy-free, other alternatives include beans and lentils, seeds, and leafy greens like collard greens.
For vitamin D, we recommend foods like salmon (which also has lots of calcium) canned tuna, eggs, and mushrooms. Some types of cereal and orange juice are also fortified with vitamin D.
There’s another complication, too. Lots of almond milk products are sold with added sweeteners and sugar. This makes them tastier, but also means they’re more likely to cause cavities.
When choosing a brand of almond milk for your child, we recommend that you look for products with minimal added sugars, if possible. Check the sugar content in the nutrition panel whenever you’re comparing almond milk products.
We Still Recommend Cow’s Milk If Your Child Can Have It
Overall, most pediatric dentists will recommend that your child drink cow’s milk unless they can’t have it due to dietary restrictions, religious reasons, or moral reasons.
This is because cow’s milk is more nutritious overall, with more protein, fat, and higher proportions of vitamins and minerals compared to almond milk.
Still, almond milk is a good alternative. You’ll just need to make sure that you find other sources of vitamin D and calcium in your child’s diet. And regardless of the type of milk your child drinks, make sure that they also drink plenty of water, that they brush their teeth regularly, and that they see Dr. Hantson for preventive care every six months!
Got Questions About Your Child’s Teeth & Nutrition? Come And See Dr. Julie Hantson
If you want more information about how your child’s diet affects their teeth in Marshfield, Dr. Julie Hantson is here to help at Marshfield Pediatric Dentistry. Contact us online or give us a call at (781) 205-1124 to schedule an appointment and get all the answers you need!
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