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Dental Snack Facts

What foods Are Best For Your Teeth


When you serve the occasional sweets, try to combine them with meals. Increased salivary flow during meals aids in neutralizing the damaging effects of sugar. When combined with starches such as toast and cereal, milk will actually neutralize tooth-damaging acid.


Avoid soft, sticky sweets which remain on and between tooth surfaces (ie. toffee). Sticky foods that are retained in the mouth longer give bacteria additional time to dine; as a result, they produce more cavity-forming acid.


If you can't brush after every snack and/or meal, at least try to rise for a few seconds with water. The key is to cut down on the acidity of the mouth.


Avoid giving your child foods rich in sugar that stay in the mouth and prolong the acid attack (ie. hard candy, lollipops, gum). Instead, try offering snacks which are low in sugar. By offering your child a variety of foods such as grains, milk and milk products, meat, vegetables, and fruits you can often avoid having them develop a "sweet tooth".


Frequent snacking on foods containing sugar increases a child's risk of getting cavities.  The frequency of snacks will increase the risk of getting cavities more than the amount eaten at one sitting.


The consistency of the snacks increases the risk of getting cavities more than the amount eaten.


Everything in moderation. As long as they're able to brush afterwards, there's not much harm in allowing children to snack on the occasional treat.


Remember that children and teenagers need calcium to form strong, healthy teeth and bones. Pregnant women also require extra calcium for the formation of their baby’s teeth and bones. Milk products and spinach are very high in calcium.



The Dentist’s Choice

(low in sugar / high nutrition)

eggs
cheese
meat
milk
nuts and seeds
plain muffins
plain popcorn
plain yogurt
tossed salads
vegetables
whole-wheat bread
whole grain cereal



The Not Great , But Not Horrible List

(high in sugar / high nutrition)

chocolate milk
dried fruits
granola bars
ice cream
milkshakes
pudding
raisins



The Cavity List 

(high in sugar / low nutrition)

cookies
candy
chocolate
cake
fast foods
granola bars
gummy bears
jam
marshmallows
presweetened cereals
soda





We're out participating at educational conventions and seminars throughout the year and we'd like to use this blog as a dental resource for our community of Phoenix, AZ (and beyond). Of course, we welcome you to join the conversation. Suggest topics and ask those burning questions about dentistry that keep you up at night. Please feel free to contact me through the Morse Family Dental  website. Remember, the advice provided here is intended to aid you in understanding some of the treatment options available. It is important to note that before beginning any course of treatment you should always see your dentist. 
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Location: Phoenix, AZ 85085, USA

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