Healthy Snacks for Healthy Teeth

Keeping your child’s teeth and body in good health can sometimes be a challenge when they would rather snack on candy, ice cream, and chips instead of fruits veggies and yogurt. It is important to encourage your children to make smart choices that will pay off as they grow older with healthy snacks.

So maybe you are trying to transition your older kids into making healthier diet choices or maybe you are starting fresh with little ones. Either way, we would like to share some healthy snaking ideas.

Kids will always mimic what they see from adults so you have an opportunity to set the tone. After all, your health is important too, so it starts with you and your healthy choices. Be sure that you practice good oral health in front of your children. When they observe you brushing and flossing after meals and snacks, they will do the same.

Demonstrate to your kids that healthy snacks are fun snacks. Get creative and add some tasty combinations to the snack mix. Apple slices with peanut butter is a favorite. Try meat and cheese roll-ups or yogurt sprinkled with granola. And there is nothing better than a refreshing fruit smoothie.

Involve your children when making out the grocery list. Try brainstorming with them about creating healthy snack choices, even give a prize to the healthy snack that wins the popularity vote. These are good opportunities to help kids understand what is good for their teeth and what is not so good. Take it a step further and grocery shop with the kids and show them how to read the Nutrition Facts label so they can check the sugar content.

Smart snacking is good for your teeth but so is nutritious meals. Teach your kids about the importance of well-balanced lunch and dinners that include fruits and vegetables. Kids will adapt to healthy eating if you make it fun.

Our dental office wants you to succeed with your healthy snack plan and if there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to ask us.