Diet & Snacking

Does my children's diet affect their dental health?

If your child has a diet high in carbohydrates, such as sugar and starches, they are at a higher risk of tooth decay. If your child has a balanced diet, the teeth will develop properly and have healthy gum tissue. A variety of foods contain sugar, and all sugars promote tooth decay. Foods with starch turn into sugar, and include crackers, pasta, pretzels and potato chips. Even fruits, a few vegetables and most milk products have sugar. Be sure your child has a balanced diet by checking how often they eat foods with sugar or starch in them.

The more frequently a child snacks, the greater the chance for tooth decay. How long food remains in the mouth also plays a role. For example, sticky foods (fruit snacks, dried fruits) stay in the mouth a long time, which cause longer acid attacks on tooth enamel. If your child must snack, choose nutritious foods such as crunchy vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese, which are healthier and better for children’s teeth.