Healthy Regimens for Teeth While at Home

Keeping your kids’ teeth healthy during school at home can be challenging. Attending school has the advantage of square meals and no snacking between meals. Now many children are at home doing virtual classes instead going to school. They’re bored and many are snacking on junk food, sweetened fruit drinks and sodas throughout the day.

Cookies, pastries and candy are full of sugar, which promotes tooth decay. When plaque interacts with sugar, it produces acid, which erodes tooth enamel. Cavities are a big issue for a large percentage of children. However, sugar isn’t just a problem for teeth. Gums also don’t fair well with the acid produced by sugar.

What Can You Do to Help with Keeping Your Kids Teeth Healthy?

Parents can provide healthy snacks. Encouraging your kids to eat healthy meals and snacks can do a lot toward keeping your kids’ teeth healthy.

What Types of Foods Make Healthy Snacks?

Fruits such as bananas, apples, oranges and applesauce are good snacks. So are vegetables—carrot sticks, celery, and cucumbers. Cheese sticks or slices are good sources of protein and snacks for in between meals. Instead of drinking fruit drinks or sodas, substitute water. Bacteria

It’s better to drink juice with a meal than as a snack.

What Types of Foods Make Healthy Meals?

According to Mouthhealthy.org, your mouth produces more saliva during a meal than during a snack. Saliva helps wash away food particles and bacteria that form acid and lead to tooth decay. This is why if your children are going to drink juice, it’s better to do so with meals than as a snack.

Types of foods for healthy meals include foods from the major food groups:

• Whole grains
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Lean protein such as beef, skinless poultry and fish
• Protein sources such as dry beans, peas and other legumes
• Fat-free or low fat dairy foods

Are You Staying on Top of Your Children’s Dental Care?

We lead busy lives and raising children can be challenging. We can help. Give us a call at Hutto Hippo Family Dental and make regular checkups part of your child’s dental care. We are glad to answer your questions. Our number is (512) 806-7740.