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How Much Calcium Does Your Child Need?

child drinking milk
added on: September 2, 2015

Sept Ped2Calcium Calcium is important for all of us, but especially for growing kids. A proper intake of calcium and vitamin D helps build strong, decay-resistant teeth.  But exactly how much calcium does your child need? Just ask your Erdenheim pediatric dentist!

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!

Welcoming new pediatric patients from Erdenheim, Flourtown, and Chestnut Hill


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