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There’s more to children’s dental care than just brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist. Having healthy snacks on hand can help your kids avoid the sugary treats that often lead to tooth decay. Here are some suggestions for snacks you can give your children to help them maintain healthy smiles for years to come.

Snacks to Keep Your Children’s Teeth Healthy

1. Fresh Fruit

For kids who have a sweet tooth, vitamin-rich fruits are a healthy alternative to sugary snacks. Fibrous fruits such as apples have a texture that scrubs the teeth as your child eats them, helping remove harmful bacteria. Caring for the gums is also an important part of children’s dental care, so serve your kids plenty of grapefruit, oranges, and kiwi; these fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C, helping maintain the collagen in the gums.

2. Dairy Products

children's dental careDairy products such as yogurt, cheese, and milk are great sources of calcium, which is an important building block for strong teeth. Cheese and yogurt have the added benefit of cutting acidity, so they help eradicate decay-causing sugars that may be stuck to the teeth. Many flavored yogurts contain added sugar, so keep your kids’ dairy snacks as healthy as possible; many children’s dental care experts recommend buying plain yogurt and adding fresh fruit for flavor.

3. Fresh Vegetables

Vegetables contain numerous vitamins and minerals that are crucial for healthy teeth and gums. Dark, leafy greens such as spinach and collard greens are particularly good sources of calcium and vitamin A. For kids who prefer crunchy snacks, offer veggie chips made from sweet potatoes, kale, and carrots. Like apples, fibrous veggies such as celery act as natural toothbrushes, cleaning teeth and stimulating saliva production to wash away bacteria between visits to the family dentist.

 

If you're looking for a dentist to help your child eat right and practice proper oral hygiene habits, contact Bert E. Bathiany IV, DMD, in Fort Thomas, KY. He is dedicated to providing quality children’s dental care in a fun, relaxing atmosphere. Schedule an appointment with a children’s dentist by calling (859) 781-4100, and visit their website to learn more about the pediatric dental care services they offer.

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