How Much Calcium Does Your Child Need?
How Much Is Enough?
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, only one in five children meets the minimum recommendation for calcium intake. That means there are a lot of kids who aren’t getting the proper nutrients for their growing bodies and smiles. So let’s look at the Institute of Medicine’s guidelines for calcium consumption by age.
- Up to 3 Years: 500 milligrams
- 4-8 Years: 800 milligrams
- 9-19 Years: 1,300 milligrams
To put those amounts in perspective, an eight ounce glass of milk contains about 300 milligrams of calcium, and eight ounces of yogurt has about 400 milligrams.
Where To Get It
The most common way to ensure your child is getting enough calcium is by having him drink milk. But what happens if he really doesn’t like it or is lactose intolerant? Don’t worry, there are other ways to get him the nutrients he needs.
- Other dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and custard (only if lactose isn’t an issue)
- Beans, broccoli, and spinach
- Calcium-fortified products like orange juice, soy milk, breads, and cereals
In addition to supplying kids with calcium through their diets, they should get active, too. An adequate intake of calcium paired with physical activity can go a long way toward building strong bones and teeth that could last a lifetime.
To make sure your child is developing teeth that are tough and strong, maintain regular appointments at our pediatric dental office in Erdenheim. Call today for an appointment!
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