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Sugar Snack facts:
Snacks containing sugar increases a child's risk of developing cavities. Each time your child eats sugar, plaque in the mouth combines with sugar to produce acid. These acid attacks on the teeth over time can destroy the tooth structure
Your child needs to eat a variety of foods: grains, milk and milk products, meat, vegetables and fruits. Try to avoid establishing a "sweet tooth" by limiting foods high in sugar.
Tips to better oral hygene:
Snacks containing sugar increases a child's risk of developing cavities. Each time your child eats sugar, plaque in the mouth combines with sugar to produce acid. These acid attacks the teeth & over a period of time can destroy the tooth structure
Your child needs to eat a variety of foods: grains, milk and milk products, meat, vegetables and fruits. Try to avoid establishing a "sweet tooth" by limiting foods high in sugar.
- Cut down on high sugary snacks and offer your child snacks which are low in sugar such as vegetables, cheese etc. These do not promote tooth decay.
- Cut down on the sugary and sticky food stuff and snacks. With frequent snacking, the acidity of the mouth stays high. This exposes the tooth to acid for extended time periods. Frequency of snacks will increase the risk of developing cavities more than the amount eaten at one sitting.
- Avoid soft, sticky sweets that lodge in and between tooth surfaces, such as toffee, dried fruits, etc. Sticky foods are retained in the mouth longer and as a result, the acid which destroys the tooth is produced for a longer period of time. The consistency of the snacks increases the risk of developing cavities more than the amount eaten.
- Natural sugars (found in breast milk, fruit, milk, bananas) have the same effect on your child's teeth as refined sugars (found in soda pop, ice-cream, cake). Healthy foods should not be avoided, however, brushing afterwards is important in the prevention of tooth decay.
- Don't give your child sugar-rich foods that stay in the mouth and prolong the acid attack, such as gum, hard candies, lollipops, etc.
- If you do serve sweets, serve them with meals. Increased saliva flow during meals helps neutralize the effects of sugar.
- Brushing and flossing after snacks and meals is important in preventing cavities.