Brushing is important, of course, but what children eat and drink also plays a big part in looking after their teeth. The good news is that tooth-friendly snacks don’t need to be complicated.
Fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts, plain or lower-added-sugar yoghurt and cheese can all form part of a balanced everyday diet. When choosing yoghurt and other packaged foods, it’s worth checking the label for added sugars, since even foods marketed towards children can carry more sugar than expected.
Tooth-Friendly Snack Ideas
Some simple options to have on hand at home include:
- Carrot and celery pieces
- Fresh fruit
- Nuts such as walnuts and almonds
- Plain or lower-added-sugar yoghurt
- Cheese
Offering a variety of these foods can make it easier for kids to build healthy eating habits without their food choices feeling overly restrictive. Keeping a few of these pre-cut and ready to grab, in the fridge or on the counter, can make the tooth-friendly choice just as convenient as reaching for a packaged snack. Where possible, try to eat foods in their most natural form and avoid foods that are highly refined, or have hidden added sugars.
What Should Children Drink?
Water is a good everyday drink for kids once it is appropriate for their age, with tap water generally recommended. For babies, breastmilk or infant formula is appropriate, with cow’s milk introduced from around 12 months of age. Encouraging water between meals and after snacks, rather than a sugary drink, is one of the simplest habits a family can build.
Healthy Teeth Are About Everyday Habits
There isn’t one particular food that guarantees healthy teeth. Instead, think about the bigger picture: regular brushing, sensible food and drink choices, and regular dental examinations. These everyday habits help children develop a healthy relationship with looking after their teeth from an early age.
Treats Can Still Have a Place
Of course, treats are part of life too! If your child has something sweet and brushing isn’t practical straight away, encourage them to rinse with water (it won’t replace brushing, but it helps clear away some of the sugar and food debris left behind).
Rather than making sweets completely off-limits, it’s often more realistic to keep them as an occasional treat rather than something kids graze on throughout the day. Frequency can be more damaging that quantity when it comes to sugar and oral health. Sticky snacks are worth a bit of extra caution too, since they tend to cling to the teeth longer than other foods, making that follow-up water even more useful. It is ideal to have sweet treats at the end of a meal, when the body is most primed to protect against them; and this can also help keep the frequency of their intake down if it forms part of a complete and balanced meal.
If you have questions about your child’s eating habits or oral health, the team at Shenton Park Family Dental in Shenton Park is happy to discuss them at your next visit.
Ask Us About Food and Drink Choices at Your Child’s Next Visit