Teeth healthy snacks for kids – Advice from a children’s dentist
With a little time and innovation, feeding your children dentist recommended snacks is an investment that will pay off for years to come. You’ll not only save on your dental bills, but your children will enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth from good snacking habits.
Getting your kids to eat teeth healthy snacks can be a challenge. The best way to educate them about the importance of caring for their teeth is by providing snacks that are not only nourishing, but also appealing.
Children’s dentists recommend snacks such as these:
- Gouda, Swiss, or other aged cheeses. They help stimulate the flow of saliva, which washes away food particles from teeth. They’re also high in calcium, which builds strong teeth.
- Vegetables and fruits with high water content, such as cucumbers, pears, melons and celery. The water content helps wash away food particles. Avoid fruits with concentrated sugar, such as raisins and dried fruit.
- Serve milk or water. Juices have a lot of sugar, but milk has high calcium content which is good for the teeth and growing body – unless your child has lactose intolerance.
- Crackers, rice cakes, pita bread and breadsticks are low sugar carbohydrates to accompany fruit, yogurt, cheese, or hummus.
- Nuts and seeds can be served to older children, but best with parental supervision to avoid choking.
- Combine cheeses with crackers or pretzels, cut fruit into fun shapes, or serve apple wedges with peanut butter to make healthy snacks more fun.
With a little time and innovation, feeding your children dentist recommended snacks is an investment that will pay off for years to come. You’ll not only save on your dental bills, but your children will enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth from good snacking habits.
