As parents, you’re always wanting the best for your children, especially with the types of food they’re consuming. But, parenting can be busy, challenging, and hectic. It’s much easier to give your child a candy bar than cut up an apple for their snacks. However, sugary or sticky foods could be hurting the smile they have for the rest of their lives. Keep reading to learn some tips on what you can give your loved ones to snack on, and which snacks should be avoided from your pediatric dentist in Irving.
Snacks That Are Good for Kids
When it comes to oral healthcare for your child, brushing and flossing is important, but what they eat can affect their teeth too. Low-fat dairy, veggies, fruits, whole grains, and healthy proteins are all part of a positive diet that is good for your gums and teeth. Check out some of the snack ideas below that are healthy, but have flavors your kids will still enjoy:
- Low-fat yogurt
- Crunchy veggies with dip
- Sliced watermelon
- Celery sticks with cream cheese and sunflower seeds
- Unsalted almonds
- Cheddar cheese and apples
- Hummus with whole-grain pita
Another tip from a kid’s dentist for parents is to limit your child’s snacking. Eating frequently throughout the day makes it easier for bacteria to grow and form into plaque. Saliva flow naturally washes away plaque and debris, so your child’s mouth needs time in between meals to clear out bacteria from the last meal.
Snacks My Kids Should Avoid
Sugary treats like candy, soda, baked goods, and much more are foods that should be obviously limited for your child’s overall and oral health. Also, foods with white flour like muffins, bagels and bread are high in carbohydrates, which break down into sugar. A high sugar and starch diet increase the number of bacteria in the mouth. This allows the sugars to form into acids that eat away at your tooth’s protective enamel.
It’s okay to give your kids foods with small amounts of sugar in them. That way, your child will enjoy what they’re eating, but they won’t be doing damage to their oral health. Think about making wise food choices for your kids as part of their daily health routine, along with brushing and flossing.
The last step you can take to help your child maintain good oral health is to schedule regular appointments with your children’s dentist in Irving. They will be able to check your kid’s teeth for cavities, and they can give you recommendations on types of food to serve your children if they are picky or have dietary limitations.
About the Practice
At Rio Dental & Orthodontics, we have a team of 7 highly-trained dentists and orthodontists. Dr. Bhaumik and Dr. Choy are both Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists, so they are expertly trained in providing the best dental care for children. They can be contacted through their website or by phone at (972) 793-0735 for any questions you may have.
