Healthy Snacks for Teeth

Growing children need small, nutritious meals and snacks each day. Some food and drinks cause tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth, called plaque, feed on sugar from food and drinks to make acid that harms teeth.

To protect children's teeth:

• Avoid sugary snacks that dissolve slowly in the mouth or stick to the teeth.
• Drink or rinse with plain water after snacking and between meals.
• Offer a variety of foods from Canada's Food Guide at meals and snacks.
• Offer three meals and no more than two to three snacks per day.
• Brush your child's teeth two times each day for two minutes each time. A toothpaste with fluoride is recommended for children ages 3 and up.

Healthy snacks for healthy teeth

• Crackers with veggies and dip
• Fruit with cheese or milk
• Whole-grain bread with cheese or hummus
• Whole-grain crackers with peanut butter and water
• Muffin or homemade bread with milk
• Yogurt with diced fruit
• Unsweetened cereal topped with fresh fruit