Fast Tips to Fight Snack Attack

Soft drinks, lollies, chocolates—it probably sounds like an entire menu of your child’s favourite foods. The sugar in these common types of food and drink, however, is responsible for the dental decay that over 50% of Aussie kids suffer from. The good news is that it’s entirely preventable by remembering some simple tips for healthy snacking that are easy to implement and completely sustainable.

How Tooth Decay Happens

Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria that live in the mouth feed off of the sugars that we intake, using them to create an acid that wears down the enamel of your teeth, eating right through this strong material.

Here are a few guidelines you can follow to help your child avoid tooth decay:

• Fresh is always best. If a good is packaged, it’s probably higher in sugar than the fresher version of the same product.
•  Read your labels. Those ingredient lists may be long, but if sugar is in the first three, it’s a good indication to find another option.
• Use the Internet. A little surfing will yield you many ideas for healthy snacks to suit even the pickiest of palates.
• Avoid sticky, chewy or gummy foods that will stick in your child’s teeth.
• Limit your fruit. Though fresh fruit has fantastic nutrients, it contains sugars that can contribute to tooth decay, so sticking to two servings a day is best.
• Set your meal times. With regular routines, your child will avoid grazing on snack foods.
• Drink water. Up their water intake, particularly with meals, which will wash away any food particles that might be lingering in their mouth.

Aim for Progress, Not Perfection

Perhaps the most essential tip is that moderation is key. Though it may seem challenging to limit your child’s intake of their most-loved goodies, rather than eliminating them, you can focus on reducing the frequency of eating them and being aware of the sugar content in each.

Combined with brushing, flossing and keeping your regular dental checkups at Hugh Fleming Dentistry, you’ll be sure to help your child enjoy a healthy, happy smile for years to come. Contact our team today to schedule an appointment for your kids!