One of the questions that Dr. Stuart Scott gets asked the most is, “How do I satisfy my child’s sweet tooth without causing harm to their teeth?” This is a great question and an important step in the development of healthy dental habits. The fact of the matter is that your child will eventually be exposed to sweets and will crave sweeter foods. What you can do as a parent is to provide healthy alternatives that do not have the same damaging amount of sugar. Instead, Dr. Stuart Scott recommends these four candy alternatives to help your child build healthy dental habits.
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Top 4 Candy Alternatives
- Apple Slices – Apple slices are a very healthy alternative to candies that most children enjoy. While there are natural sugars in apples, the liquid content helps to wash away much of the sugar. Also, apples really promote healthy gums with their thick skin and fibrous flesh. In addition, apples are packed with vitamins, nutrients, and fibers that your child’s growing body needs.
- Dark Chocolate – Dark chocolate is actually very effective at fighting tooth decay, as there is a compound in chocolate that helps to harden tooth enamel. Cocoa beans also have an antibacterial effect that helps to fight plaque. The only difficulty is that children often do not enjoy the bitter flavor that dark chocolate has. However, if your child does enjoy dark chocolate, this is a great alternative to milk chocolate.
- Trail Mix – Nuts and berries are excellent sources of nutrients and are a great alternative when your child wants to snack. Nuts can break up some of the biofilms on teeth while still being a tasty treat. You can find lots of different types of trail mix to change things up. One example would include dehydrated fruit which many children enjoy as a candy alternative.
- Yogurt and Granola – This is a tasty treat that has a lot of benefits for tooth health. You will want to find yogurt that is low in sugar, such as Greek yogurt. Adding granola and berries make these yogurts much tastier, and kids really enjoy these parfaits. In addition, the calcium from yogurt and other dairy products help to replace lost materials in teeth and are a major part of a healthy diet.
In Need of Pediatric Dentistry? Contact Dr. Stuart Scott
Dr. Stuart Scott has been working to provide healthy smiles to children for over 20 years. If your child is in need of a dentist to teach them healthy dental habits, Dr. Stuart Scott is perfect for your family. Our pediatric dentistry department is made up of a talented group of professionals who make your child’s visit to the dentist comfortable and fun. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stuart Scott, call Parkcrest Dental today at 417-262-5515.
