“That kid is growing like a weed!” How many times have you heard that comment about one of your children, or thought it yourself? To fuel that growth, children need to be fed a nutritional diet at breakfast, lunch and dinner that includes, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as lean meats, chicken and fish. But what about when those growing children need a snack to tide them over in between meals? Then, what should they eat? Charlotte pediatric dentist Dr. Marcela Mujica offers the following snack ideas to help ensure your children eat for their general health as well as their oral health.

1. Fresh fruits and vegetables. Check at the supermarket to see what’s in season and then make sure to have plenty around the house. Fruits and vegetables that contain a lot of water, such as apples, melons, pears, cucumber and celery are best. Try to minimize snacks like bananas and raisins that are high in sugar.
2. Cheeses. Kids love cheese, and that’s a good thing. Cheese is high in calcium, which helps to build strong bones and teeth, and it also increases saliva production that washes away food debris. Aged cheeses are best, including cheddar, Swiss and Monterey Jack.
3. Plain yogurt and cottage cheese are also good sources of calcium. If you’re children prefer sweetened yogurt, stick to plain and add just a bit of fruit puree or chopped fruit.
4. Water, water everywhere. At mealtime and especially with snacks, offer your children water instead of juice or soda. The sugar content in these drinks washes over their teeth and contributes to tooth decay. Water, on the other hand, rinses away food particles that may get stuck on your children’s teeth, and moreover it does not harm their teeth.
5. Hard-boiled eggs. Keep a container of hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for three days and they make a healthy and filling snack for when you and your kids are on the go.

Although children do need snacks to maintain energy, try to limit their snacks to one or two a day. Frequent snacking without brushing afterwards leaves teeth susceptible to a more constant presence of the bacteria that causes tooth-decay. And if possible, have your kids brush their teeth after a snack or at least rinse with water.

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For more ideas on how to maintain your children’s healthy smiles, or to schedule a dental cleaning and exam for your child, contact All Kids Pediatric Dentistry, the dentist Charlotte parents trust for their child.