What kid doesn’t love to snack? Unfortunately, children like to reach for the unhealthy foods in the refrigerator and cabinet. This means candy, cookies, chocolate, and soda, which leads to cavities that require a visit to a family dentist clinic in Ramsey, NJ, like Ramsey Family Dental. Luckily, there are plenty of kid-friendly healthy snacks that are good for the teeth that you can encourage your child to eat when they need to satisfy their hunger. Dr. Robert Boff and Dr. Banafsheh Goujani want to share some kid-friendly snacks you can serve your child.
Tooth-Friendly Snacks for Your Kids
When you need to figure out a snack for your kids for when they get home from school or in the middle of the afternoon on the weekend, we have you covered. Here are a few easy ideas that your kids will probably love.
Yogurt
Plain yogurt with no sugar can be great for the teeth as well as your child’s overall health because it is loaded with probiotics. Probiotics can help eliminate bacteria in the mouth and encourage healthier gums.
Yogurt is the perfect substitute for pudding or gelatin, according to our Ramsey, NJ, family dentist. It can be frozen in a popsicle mold for a healthy alternative to sugar-ridden popsicles in the summer.
Cheese
Instead of your child grabbing that bag of potato chips that are full of starch and carbs, consider offering some cheese slices or cubes. Cheese can reduce plaque growth while also creating stronger teeth because of the calcium content.
Further, because cheese requires a little extra chewing, the mouth will produce additional saliva, reducing the amount of plaque that builds up in the mouth.
Fresh Fruit
While it is true that fresh fruit can include some sugar, it is better than dried fruit that is sticky and can get stuck in those little nooks and crannies in the mouth. When choosing fresh fruits, stick to ones that aren’t citrusy. Apples and pears make great snacks because of their high water content, diluting the sugars that are found within the fruit.
Need more healthy snack ideas for your child? Need more advice on how to keep your child’s teeth healthy? Call (201) 327-3060 to reach Ramsey Family Dental and make an appointment with a family dentist in Ramsey, NJ. Dr. Boff and Dr. Goujani want nothing more than to help your child maintain a healthy oral health routine.