Eating a balanced diet and healthy snacks is good for your child's teeth
and gums.
Eating unhealthy snacks can lead to cavities.
What is a healthy snack?
A healthy snack is low in sugar and high in nutrients.
Low-sugar snacks are good for your child's teeth.
High-nutrient snacks are good for your child's body.
What are some healthy snack ideas?
Vegetables, fruits, salads
Pretzels, popcorn, pizza
Meat, eggs, cheese
Plain yogurt, milk, coleslaw
Nuts, seeds, muffins
Whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat cereal
What is an unhealthy snack?
Unhealthy snacks are high in sugar or low in nutrients.
Unhealthy snacks aren't good for your child's teeth or her body.
Snacking on foods that contain sugar increases your child's risk of getting
cavities.
Plaque in the mouth combines with the sugar to make acid.
The acid attacks the teeth and can destroy tooth structure.
What kinds of snacks should I avoid? Limit snacks that are sweet and sticky, like dried fruits and toffee. Don't
eat sugary foods that stay in the mouth for a long time, like gum and hard candies.
Here are some other snacks you should avoid:
Raisins, dried fruit
Ice cream, Popsicles
Pudding, cake, cookies, granola bars
Chocolate, chocolate milk
Candy, Gummy Bears
What can I do to prevent cavities?
To help prevent cavities, drink sugarless soda or chew sugarless gum instead
of regular.
Chewing sugarless gum makes more saliva in the mouth. The saliva helps break
down sugars that cause tooth decay.
Cut down on the number of times a day your child eats snacks with starches
and sugar.
If your child eats snacks often throughout the day, acid stays in the mouth
and she is more likely to get cavities. Instead of snacking often, its better
if she has a bigger snack at one sitting.
It is best to eat sweets with a meal rather than as a snack. Eating a meal
will make more saliva in your child's mouth. The saliva helps prevent cavities.
It is always a good idea to brush and floss after eating. Foods like milk
and fruit have natural sugars in them. Even natural sugars can cause cavities.
Save "fun," unhealthy snacks for special times.
Ask your child's dentist if you have questions about her diet and dental
health.
Quick Answers
Eating healthy snacks is good for your child's teeth.
A healthy snack is low in sugar and high in nutrients.
Some healthy snack ideas are vegetables, pretzels, or cheese.
Unhealthy snacks are high in sugar or low in nutrients.
Avoid eating snacks that are sweet, sugary, and sticky, like chewy candy.
Brushing and flossing after snacks and meals can help prevent cavities.
References
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Diet and Snacking. 1995-1999 (cited
2001 August 8). URL: http://aapd.org/publications/brochures/snacking.html
American Dental Association. Your Diet and Dental Health. 2001 June 14 (cited
2001 August 8). URL: http://www.ada.org/public/media/DmVol10/dm-diet.html
The Wisdom Tooth. Snack Facts. (cited 2001 August 8). URL: http://www.umainitoba.ca/outreach/wisdomtooth/snack.htm
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