Nutritional Counseling

Name: Nutritional Counseling
Brand: Up Pediatric Dentistry
Rating: 5 (102 reviews)

At UP Pediatric Dentistry, we provide pediatric nutritional counseling in Nashville, TN to help families understand how everyday food and drink choices can affect their child’s teeth. Our team offers practical, age-appropriate guidance to reduce cavity risk, support healthy dental development, and build better habits for growing smiles.

Why should I choose Nutritional Counseling?

Your diet is absolutely essential for your oral health, and your overall health, too. A healthy diet will protect your teeth and your body, and reduce your risk of things like cavities, gum disease, and diabetes. With nutritional counseling from a dentist, you can get the information you need, make good dietary decisions, and enjoy better health that lasts a lifetime.

Did You Know?

Excessive sugar consumption, especially from sugary drinks, is one of the top contributing factors to tooth decay (cavities).

Meet Our Pediatric Dentists

Pediatric Dentist, Board-Certified & Mother

Get To Know Dr. Breanna Barnes

Dr. Breanna Barnes’s journey into dentistry is one of rediscovery and passion, deeply rooted in her childhood in Olathe, Kansas. Growing up as the daughter of a pediatric dentist, she spent summers immersed in the day-to-day operations of her father’s practice. While initially envisioning a future in medical science or interior design, it wasn’t until college that she realized how dentistry uniquely combines her love of science, creativity, and helping others.

After graduating with honors from Southern Methodist University, Dr. Barnes went on to earn her dental and public health degrees at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health. Her dedication to specialized pediatric care led her to complete a residency at the University of Tennessee, where she also earned a Master of Dental Science. As a board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Barnes has advanced training in infant frenectomies, laser dentistry, and esthetic restorations like zirconia crowns, enabling her to provide gentle, comprehensive care tailored to each child’s needs.

Driven by a vision to provide compassionate, quality-focused care, Dr. Barnes opened Songbird Pediatric Dentistry to create a welcoming, patient-first practice. Recognizing a need in Fairview, she established the area’s first pediatric dental office, adopting a mom-run, non-corporate approach to dental care. Shortly after, she acquired Up Pediatric Dentistry, where she continues to make exceptional pediatric dental care available to her community. At both of her practices, her goal is to create an environment where every family feels genuinely valued and supported.

Dr. Barnes is particularly passionate about serving children with special needs, including those on the autism spectrum, and infants experiencing nursing challenges due to lip or tongue ties. Her holistic philosophy extends beyond treating dental concerns to addressing underlying causes and preventing future issues. Her mission is to make every child’s dental visit a positive, fun, and supportive experience.

Outside of the office, Dr. Barnes is a wife and proud mother of two toddlers. She enjoys baking gluten-free desserts, exploring antique shops, staying active, and spending time in nature. Both her professional expertise and personal experiences as a parent influence her warm, empathetic approach to pediatric dentistry.

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Dr. Breanna Barnes in Nashville

Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist & Mother

Get To Know Dr. Sara Ahmed

Dr. Sara Ahmed was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and is proud to now call Nashville home after relocating from Boston, Massachusetts. Before moving to Nashville, she served as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Dentistry at Boston Children’s Hospital and as an Instructor in Developmental Biology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Ahmed completed her pediatric dental residency at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, where she graduated with honors in community service, and received her Bachelor of Science degree with high distinction from the University of Michigan.

As a board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Ahmed has extensive experience caring for children with complex medical and special healthcare needs. She is passionate about providing compassionate, individualized care and has had the opportunity to lecture on pediatric dental topics both locally and nationally. She is also fluent in Arabic and Urdu.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Ahmed loves cooking, practicing yoga, and exploring everything Nashville has to offer. She is always excited to discover a new restaurant or coffee shop and enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. Most of all, she loves being a mom and is grateful to be putting down roots and building a life with her family in Nashville.

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Dr. Sara in Nashville

Healthy Choices for Healthy Smiles

Nutritional counseling helps families make smarter food and drink choices that support stronger teeth and reduce cavity risk.

What We Help With

Tooth-Friendly Food & Snack Choices

Reducing Sugary Drinks & Cavity Risk

Why Families Choose UP Kids Dentist for Nutritional Counseling

Personalized Nutrition Guidance

Recommendations tailored to your child’s age, dental needs, eating habits, and cavity risk.

Practical Advice for Parents

Simple, realistic suggestions that can fit into your family’s daily routine without making mealtimes stressful.

Cavity-Focused Approach

We help families understand how everyday foods, drinks, and snacking patterns can affect tooth decay.

Support for Growing Smiles

Guidance designed to support healthy teeth and oral development as your child grows.

The Benefits of Nutritional Counseling

Helps Prevent Cavities

Better food and drink choices can reduce frequent sugar exposure and lower the risk of tooth decay.

Supports Stronger Teeth

Balanced nutrition provides important nutrients that support healthy teeth and developing smiles.

Builds Healthier Eating Habits

Children can learn simple habits that support both their oral health and overall wellness.

Reduces Harmful Snacking Patterns

Parents can better understand how frequent snacking and sipping may affect cavity risk.

Encourages Tooth-Friendly Choices

Families receive practical guidance on foods and drinks that are easier on growing teeth.

Supports Long-Term Oral Health

Healthy nutrition habits established early can help protect your child’s smile as they grow.

The Nutritional Counseling Treatment Process

Review Eating Habits

We discuss your child’s meals, snacks, drinks, and daily eating routine.

Identify Oral Health Risks

We look for dietary habits that may increase cavity risk or affect developing teeth.

Create a Healthy Plan

We provide practical, personalized nutrition guidance to support a healthier smile.

Reviews From Nashville Families

Why Parents Trust Up Pediatric Dentistry

Dana H.

Dr Barnes and her staff are trustworthy, professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate. Excellent bed side manner. I’m am so glad we came back to Up Dentistry.

Stefanie W.

Dr Barnes and her staff are exceptional! My son had several things done in one day, from preventative care to extractions needed for orthodontic. They took their time with him, treated him like their own and made it very easy on the both of us. They are exactly what you want and need for your children’s dental needs. I’ve been in dentistry for 20 years, her offices are the best around!! Thank you Dr Barnes and all the sweet ladies with her.

Jessica S.

Up Pediatric Dentistry is a charming and welcoming office designed to make kids feel at ease. Dr. Barnes and her friendly staff create a warm, inviting environment that helps take the stress out of dental visits. Both my son and daughter absolutely loved her and felt so comfortable throughout their visit. She is kind, patient, and incredibly skilled, providing quick and compassionate care when children need it most.

Taylor L.

Taking your child this dentist will feel more like taking your child to your sisters. Dr. Barnes spent so much time with us both on the phone and in person to ensure my comfort level and my child’s. Though the clinic was busy with several other families, I’d never have known based on the time, attention to detail and kindness she showed us. 11/10 recommend to as many families as possible!

Ali G.

My daughter had the best & easiest dental visit! Dr. Barnes has a true gift when it comes to caring for her young patient’s! My daughter was so nervous prior to her appointment but left excited to come back again! Thank you Dr. B & staff for making it such a positive experience!

Dana H.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have More Questions?

Convenient Pediatric Nutritional Counseling Near You

Supporting your child’s healthy smile starts with everyday food and drink choices. At UP Kids Dentist, we provide pediatric nutritional counseling in a comfortable, child-friendly environment where families can get practical guidance tailored to their child’s age, oral health, and eating habits.

Our team helps parents understand how meals, snacks, sugary drinks, and frequent eating can affect cavity risk and dental development. Whether your child needs support making more tooth-friendly choices or guidance for reducing habits that may contribute to decay, we are here to make healthy changes feel simple, realistic, and easier to maintain.