Food/Snacks

How Do Sugars Attack Your Teeth?

Invisible germs called bacteria live in your mouth all the time.  Some of these bacteria form a sticky material called plaque on the surface of the teeth.  When you eat or drink something with sugar, the bacteria in the plaque gobble up the sweet stuff and turn it into acids.  These acids are powerful enough to dissolve the hard enamel that covers your teeth.  That is how cavities get started.  If you do not eat much sugar, the bacteria cannot produce as much of the harmful acid.

Your child's meals and snacks should include a variety of foods from the basic food groups, including fruits and vegetables; grains, milk and dairy products, meats, nuts and seeds.

Healthy Choices:

• Nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts)
• Milk (not chocolate)
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Carrots
• Raw fruit and Vegetables

Foods To Avoid:

• Pop/Soft Drinks (even diet as it is very acidic)
• Raisons
• Dried Fruit
• Chocolate Milk
• Sugary Cereal
• Sweetened Juice
• Candy