Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. A well-balanced diet plays a large role in the health of your child’s teeth and gums. Children love to snack. Most snacks that children eat can lead to cavity formation. The more frequently a child snacks, the greater the chance for tooth decay. How long food remains in the mouth also plays a role. If your child must snack, try to limit snacking to once or twice a day. Choose nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese which are healthier and better for children’s teeth.
Here is a list of good snacks, bad snacks, and “ok occasionally” snacks:
Good Snacks:
- Cheddar cheese
- Fresh fruit
- Raw veggies
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Milk
Bad Snacks:
- Sticky candy
- Fruit roll ups
- Soda
- Granola bars
- Dried fruits
- Potato chips
Ok Occasionally:
- Oatmeal cookies
- Butter cookies
- Ice cream
- Chocolate
- Raisins