The foods and drinks your child consumes play an important role in their oral health. Certain foods are known to contribute to the rate of tooth decay, setting your child up for oral health complications if healthy snacks aren’t eaten. We want to see your child keep a healthy smile for a lifetime, as well as have strong health overall, which is why we’re here to help you find healthy snacks for kids. We’ve created an easy guide for you to choose great snacks that not only promote oral health but overall health too.

Importance of Healthy Snacks

Your child needs to eat snacks that don’t contain high amounts of sugar because the sugar will increase the rate of tooth decay and make the teeth more susceptible to decay. Naturally, we have a certain amount of bacteria in the mouth, which causes plaque to form. When you consume sugar, the bacteria in the plaque is naturally attracted to the sugar, which causes it to turn into acid. The accumulation of acid dissolves the enamel of the teeth leading to cavities.  By helping your children snack smart with foods that contain minimal sugar, you’ll help prevent tooth decay, while also promoting strong, healthy teeth. More in

Healthy Grains

Grains are a smart, healthy snack to combat the effects of sugar. Next time your child is hungry, grab some bagels, tortilla chips, pasta, or even pretzels.

Dairy Products

Low fat or non-fat dairy products are a great option for healthy snacking. Yogurt, cheese, and even a glass of milk is a great alternative to chewy sugary snacks.

Fruits and Vegetables

While fruits and vegetables are healthy, you still need to be careful because they naturally contain sugar. Not to mention, some are acidic, which can also impact the enamel of the teeth, such as oranges and grapefruit. However, fruit and vegetables remain a good choice for a healthy snack. Just make sure your child brushes their teeth well after eating.

Keeping Teeth Healthy

For a healthy mouth and body, you want to choose healthy snacks for kids because sugar stays on teeth longer than foods you’re able to eat and chew quickly. Every time your child eats a sugary snack, their teeth are under attack for as much as 20 minutes before the acids are neutralized. Even then, your child still needs to brush and floss their teeth to reduce the bacteria in their mouth to prevent tooth decay.
While we can’t avoid sugary foods altogether, it’s important to teach your child proper oral hygiene for when they do consume sugar. Your child must brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day. If they are eating or drinking high amounts of sugar, brushing should be more often using fluoride toothpaste.

As children’s dentists, we want to see your child have healthy teeth that will last them a lifetime. We’re here to help you keep your child’s mouth healthy with children’s dental services to examine your child’s smile for potential concerns. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment for your child.