You may often find yourself giving your child snacks between meals or in the school lunchbox, but can snacking promote tooth decay? Which foods are teeth-friendly and which ones should you avoid the next time your child craves a little snack?

Understanding Tooth Decay

Bacteria live in our mouths. When we feast, so do bacteria. Bacteria particularly enjoy breaking down sugars and starches left on the teeth, which leads to the formation of plaque and acid. Acid created by bacteria can damage the teeth if left on the tooth surface for 20 minutes or more. This can lead to tooth decay.

Sticky and Sweet: A Good Treat?

When selecting snacks for your child, read the ingredient label to find out if the snack contains sugars or starches. Select snacks that are sugar-free or unsweetened. Some sugary snacks and drinks to avoid include:

• Candies
• Mints
• Cookies
• Pastries
• Soda and juices

If you do decide to give your child a sugary treat, do so at mealtime rather than as a snack. For instance, after dinner you can serve your child a dessert. More saliva is usually generated around mealtime, which makes it easier for food to be washed away from tooth surfaces.

Sugary foods may be obvious tooth decay culprits. But sticky, chewy snacks can also lead to tooth decay. Foods like granola bars, raisins, oatmeal, and peanut butter tend to linger on the teeth longer and are not easily washed away by saliva. This does not mean that you should avoid giving your child these foods, simply encourage your child to brush after a chewy snack.

Teeth-Friendly Snack Options

Here are some snack options for your child that are both teeth-friendly and healthy:

Other Healthy Teeth Tips

• Limit snacking. Snacking between meals limits the amount of time saliva has to wash away food. This means more food remains in the mouth for bacteria to process. If possible, limit snack time to no more than 1-2 times a day.
• Brush teeth. Have your child brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Your child should also brush or rinse after every snack and after taking medications, since they may contain sugar. It is also a good idea to floss at least once a day. If brushing or flossing is not possible, have your child rinse with water after snacking to wash away food particles. Flossing should start when your child has 2 teeth that touch each other.
• Build strong teeth. Give your child foods that will build strong teeth, like broccoli, plain yogurt, and milk.
• See the dentist. Schedule regular dental check-ups for your child. Their first appointment should occur before their first birthday.