Most parents realize that letting their children eat lots of sugary snacks can lead to cavities, however, many people do not know why cavities actually occur. The Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa thinks it is important for parents to know that cavities are not cause by the sugar itself, but by the bacteria that feeds off of the sugar. As such, cavities are really just the result of a bacterial infection that affects the teeth.

Importance of Sugar-Free Snacks for Your Child's Dental Health
Sugar is what is known as a simple carbohydrate and breaks down very quickly and sticks to the surfaces of teeth. Because bacteria is ever present in the mouth, when the teeth are not cleaned regularly and properly the bacteria begins to feed on the sugar left on the teeth. The bacteria multiplies, or colonize, as it feeds and produces acid and plaque that eats away at the protective enamel covering the tooth. The acids then dissolve the minerals that makeup the enamel and the enamel becomes porous and as the bacteria continues to feed the holes become bigger. These holes in the enamel are referred to as dental carries, commonly referred to as cavities. If not treated, cavities can intrude deeper into the teeth and cause pain and loss of the tooth.

Even though it is not the sugar that directly causes cavities, every parent knows that children don’t always brush their teeth properly. In order to reduce the risk of your children getting cavities, focus on putting sugar-free snacks in your child's lunchbox.

Sugar Free Snacks for Your Child's Lunchbox

• Cheese snacks come in varies forms from individually packaged string cheese to single serving cubes with crackers. Parents can also cut up block cheese into bite size pieces.

• Deep fried veggies have that gratifying “crunch” and are loaded with protein and fiber. These snacks come in large or single serving bags in varieties that include chick and garden peas.

• Baked potato chips have less fat and the kids love them.

• Freeze-dried veggies come in a wide variety including carrots and corn.

• Popcorn. Kids love it and it comes in a variety of flavors.

• Meat and cheese roll ups. Take a slice of your child’s favorite lunch meat and cheese, spread a little cream cheese, relish, or mustard on the inside and roll it up.

• Nuts and seeds are a great healthy and sugar-free snack. Both are loaded with protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. With so many varieties your child can have a different kind every day of the month.

• Parmesan potato wedges are easy to make and the kids love them. Cut up potatoes into wedges, place them on a baking sheet, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown.

Other Considerations
The main thing to keep in mind is it is the frequency of sugar consumption that damages teeth. Sweets should be eaten at mealtime and cut down at other times to reduce the incidence of cavities. In addition to cavities, too much sugar can also cause other health problems, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. One healthy way to cut down on sugar is to substitute the all-natural sweetener Xylitol (pronounced zi-la-tall) when making sweet treats at home. Xylitol can be substituted for sugar in baked recipes like cakes and cookies and studies have shown Xylitol helps prevent cavities.

Be sure to have your children to floss and brush with a good fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, preferable after breakfast and just before bed. Before bed is the most important time to brush the teeth. This is because saliva production, that cleans the mouth during the day, slows down during sleep and leaves the teeth more vulnerable to decay. Recent research into tooth decay has shown that it is best to not brush teeth immediately after eating as it can cause the tiny bits of food to grind against the teeth and damage enamel. Instead, teach your children to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing.

If you need more information on dental disease or treatment, visit us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!