Smart snacking entails both strategic snack-time planning and the selection of certain foods. Both can help to reduce the likelihood of tooth decay. Today on the blog, Dr. Hobfoll, the best pediatric dentist SLC, shares tooth friendly snacks for your kids. 

Why Is It That Snacking is More Likely to Cause Tooth Decay?

Bacteria that cause oral cavities feed on every carbohydrate source we consume, including sugar, bread, potatoes, rice, crackers, chips, pretzels, candies, fruit snacks, juice, and so on. Bacteria consume carbs and turn them into acid. Our pediatric dentist SLC explains that this acid causes a cavity.

Our saliva helps to neutralize the acid’s effects. However, if children nibble throughout the day, the constant acid production overwhelms the saliva’s ability to buffer or neutralize the acid, increasing the likelihood of cavities developing.

What is Smart Snacking?

Smart snacking entails reducing the frequency with which children nibble between meals and selecting foods superior in terms of type and texture to others. Our kids dentist near me explains that it is preferable to consume the entire snack at once rather than in small portions throughout the day. The bacteria that cause cavities get their energy from glucose.

Additionally, our kids dentist SLC explains that limiting chewy and sticky foods helps. These foods can become lodged in the grooves of the back teeth and remain there for extended periods, increasing the risk of cavities.

What Are Some Healthier Snack Options?

• Whole foods that are minimally processed (like an apple) will always be superior to processed carbohydrate-rich diets for various reasons, including tooth health (like sugar-sweetened applesauce).
• Snacks high in protein and low in carbohydrates are especially beneficial. Dr. Wade, family dentist Pinellas Park FL, explains that for example, nuts and part-skim cheese are excellent in this regard, and they also aid in developing strong teeth.
• Although they may include some sugar, fruits and vegetables are a smart choice because they provide a variety of essential elements. Harder or crunchier alternatives, such as apples, celery, and carrots, are delicious.
• Complex meals can help brush off dental plaque accumulation (a film of bacteria and carbohydrates that accumulates on teeth) similar to additional brushing. Sticky dried fruits, such as raisins, provide nutritious value but can become stuck in the grooves of back teeth.

What Else Should You Think About When Arranging Snacks?

Hard, crunchy foods like granola and trail mix are classified differently from candy bars, and sticky fruit treats. Although these goods are sometimes seen as healthful, they include many carbs. In addition, granola and trail mix, despite being crunchy, can quickly become lodged in the grooves of the teeth.

Juice, sports drinks, and soda should be consumed in moderation. Anything other than water (including milk) contains sugars and can cause cavities. If children consume beverages other than water, they should adhere to the same guidelines as snack food: drink in one sitting and limit the number of drinks consumed.