Snacking And Children's Teeth

Diet is the most significant source of cavities. Snacking is a normal and common eating habit. Snacking is often the cause of excessive tooth decay. Perfect snacks (those that will not harm teeth) consist of anything from the milk group, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and meats.

Our most common snacks are sugar and starch based which will result in more cavities. An underestimated problem snack is food containing starch. Starches are changed into sugar when they are in the mouth. Our saliva contains an enzyme that changes starch into sugar to aid in digestion. It is because of this that starches will promote tooth decay. Slow nibblers run the greatest risk of tooth decay. Greater sugar damage happens over a longer snacking time.

Children always arrive home from school hungry. Offer them a glass of milk, a slice of cheese or ham, and maybe an apple as a nutritious snack that is both fulfilling and harmless to teeth.