At Walker Pediatric Dentistry, our full-time goal is to keep your child’s dental care in great shape. Our children’s dentist services include early preventive services, restorative work and much more.

As a parent, you play a big role here as well. One area that many parents unfortunately overlook when it comes to oral care for their child is snacking – here are a few healthy snacking options to remember, plus some tips about one particular type of snack to avoid with oral health in mind.

Apples

Many fruits are good snacks for kids, but apples are particularly beneficial. They’re high in fiber, which means they naturally clean teeth during the chewing process. They scrub teeth, gums and the tongue, fighting plaque and helping rid the teeth of stain buildups. They also help combat bad breath. Apples are a perfect dessert substitute if your child has been eating too many sweets recently.

Cheese

Cheese is naturally high in a protein called casein, which helps make tooth enamel stronger and fights off cavities. In addition, it’s high in calcium and helps promote stronger teeth in general. If kids struggle eating cheese in traditional forms, string cheese is a good alternative as a small snack.

Nuts

Nuts are simple snack kids can often get for themselves, and they promote oral health. They’re high in protein to help build stronger teeth, a vital factor during childhood while teeth are still developing. They also promote saliva production as they’re being chewed – saliva naturally protects the teeth from plaque and cavity formation by clearing out acid that’s built up. Choose nuts over salty snacks like chips or pretzels.

Limiting Citrus

One area that you should specifically look to avoid when it comes to snacks that are good for your child’s oral health is citrus. Any foods or drinks with too much citric acid can begin eroding tooth enamel, leading to worn down teeth and also pain in some situations. If and when your child does snack on anything with citrus, have them rinse out their mouth for about 30 seconds after to remove some of that harmful acid.

For more on mouth-friendly snacks for kids, or to find out about any of our pediatric dentist services, speak to the experts at Walker Pediatric Dentistry today.