Smart Snacks for Healthy Teeth

Sugary snacks are quite yummy, but they are bad for your body and your teeth. Indulging in cakes, cookies and candy can cause tooth decay. People who consume sugary snacks are eating various sugars all day including sucrose and fructose. In addition to that, the starchy snacks also break down into sugars in the mouth which lead to tooth decay.

What Sugar Does to the Teeth

Bacteria live in the mouth but some of this bacteria will form a sticky material called plaque on the teeth. Putting sugar in your mouth causes the bacteria to feed on the sugar and turn into acids. These acids will eat away the enamel on your teeth.

Smart Snacking

Before you start munching, ask yourself what is in the food. If it has a large amount of sugar, choose something different. If you must eat something sweet, do it after dinner instead of all day. Then, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste afterward.

Low-fat choices are your best option. Consider foods such as fresh fruits, whole-grain crackers or raw vegetables. Choose something from one of the basic food groups for your best option.

Low-fat choices like raw vegetables, fresh fruits, or whole-grain crackers or bread are smart choices.

Here are some more options for you:

·         Berries

·         Grapefruit

·         Melons

·         Broccoli

·         Celery

·         Carrots

·         Cucumbers

·         Whole-Grain bread

·         Unsweetened cereals

·         Tortilla chips (baked, not fried)

·         Pretzels (low-salt)

·         Pasta

·         Low or non-fat yogurt

·         Low or non-fat cheese

·         Chicken

·         Turkey

·         Pumpkin seeds

·         Sunflower seeds

·         Nuts

Remember to do the following:

·         Eat less sugary foods

·         Eat a variety of low-fat foods found in the basic food groups

·         Don’t eat sweets between meals

·         Brush with fluoride toothpaste after sugary snacks

Note to Parents

If you want to cut back on the amount of sugar your children are eating, it is up to you to change the habits. Cut back on the sweets that are offered in the home. Fill up your fridge and cabinets with healthy options that your children would want. Make sure that your child also visits Erieview Dental for Mentor OH dental cleanings at least twice a year to head off any problems that could arise.