Feeding your children can be challenging, especially when you have picky eaters! Snack time can also be tricky because you don't want your kids to fill up on unhealthy foods that only fill their bellies rather than fuel their health.
Did you know that the snacks you choose for your kids can also impact their dental health? Today, we'll review the best snack choices parents can make to help protect their children's smiles and overall well-being.
Understanding the Impact of Snacking
Healthy snacks are so important because of the effects they can have on your child's teeth. For example, crackers or chips at snack time are starchy carbohydrates that stick to teeth long after snack time ends. This can be detrimental because carbohydrates eventually turn into sugar, which is a primary contributor to tooth decay and cavities.
Sugar fuels the bacteria living in plaque that builds up on teeth after meals. That bacteria then produce acid as a byproduct, which eats and destroys tooth enamel, causing cavities. Sugary snacks increase the risk of your child developing tooth decay.
Even worse, kids don't tend to brush their teeth after snack time like they would after breakfast or dinner. Brushing regularly disrupts the bacteria's process and eliminates it from your child's mouth before it can wreak havoc on their teeth.
Choosing Healthy Snacks
Here are some tips for healthy snacks you can choose for your child's lunch or after-school snacks:
- Apple slices
- Raw baby carrots
- Bananas
- Yogurt
- Pears
- String cheese
- Nuts
- Granola or trail mix
- Hard-boiled eggs — good for protein
Fruits and veggies increase saliva production when your child chews. Saliva is a natural tooth protectant because it neutralizes acids in the mouth and washes away excess debris from snacks and meals.
Do you have more questions about healthy snacks for kid's teeth or other aspects of your child's dental health? Contact your trusted children's dentists in Huntsville, AL, at (256) 539-4079 for answers or more information.