Summer Snacks and Hydration

Summers can be some of the most challenging times for parents when it comes to nutrition. Kids are home from school and keeping them well hydrated becomes a chore. As the temperatures rise and kids come home sweaty, it is tempting to reach for quick refreshments. Unfortunately, many of those drinks and snacks are not healthy for their bodies, and certainly not for the teeth.

However, there are plenty of wonderful hydrating options that can keep our little ones happy and healthy! From the overall health perspective, there are many dietary considerations as obesity and sedentary life styles are becoming epidemics. In dentistry, we monitor our patients’ weight and overall health, but the following recommendations are strictly teeth related.

In dentistry, we consider three factors when picking snacks:

1. How acidic is it?

2. How much sugar does it have?

3. How long will it stay in the mouth?

Anything that has acid interacts with the enamel and causes cavities over time. Juices, sports drinks, and sodas are prime examples of such culprits. They are also full of sugar, which is a perfect recipe for cavities. Instead, we recommend water or flavored SUGAR FREE sparkling water. If you want to occasionally supplement with other drinks, some such as G2 have lower sugar options. Milk and chocolate milk are also great choices. Regular milk has only 1 teaspoon of sugar and neutral acidity. Flavored milk options are better than juice, but have about 5 teaspoons of sugar, so use them sparingly. They are great recovery drinks after strenuous exercise since they are full of protein and replenish lost electrolytes and sugar.

When picking snacks, try to stay with things that are cold, refreshing, and do not stick to teeth. We recommend shopping in the outer aisles of grocery stores where fruit, veggies, cheeses, yogurts and similar snacks reside. All of these can be stored in the fridge and readily available for the hot summer days. For an easy “grab and go” snack, cut up apples, pears, watermelon or berries. Popsicles made out of fresh fruit are a refreshing and healthy choice. Ice cream, although filled with sugar, is not acidic and melts away quickly, so in moderation it is also a wonderful summer snack. Protein is important to keep kids full longer as pure carbohydrates will only satisfy them shortly. Cheese, yogurts, and sandwich meats can help for easy foods on the go.

Try your best to avoid sticky snacks such as gummies, processed sugars in crackers, pop-tarts, or cookies, and candy that stays in the mouth for a long time such as lollipops. Those snacks fill kids up for a short period of time and then leave them craving more sugar. They are full of chemicals and ingredients that have no nutritional value in addition to causing cavities.

We know that this will be a long summer! Call us if you want more specific advice on what is healthy for baby and young permanent teeth! Our team is here to answer all your questions.

Dr. Lindhorst, Dr. Theriot and our Smiles For Kids Team