Tooth-kind eating involves more than just willpower. It is important to think about the frequency and type of foods that we eat. Everyone needs at treat from time to time, so follow these simple guidelines for happy tummies and teeth!
Frequency
- Decrease the frequency of eating – grazing (on anything) is very bad for teeth.
- Try to maximise ‘food-free’ time.
- Three meals and two snacks a day is ideal.
Type of snacks
- Avoid naughty sugary nibbles between meals – try and keep snacks tooth-kind.
- Some good examples of tooth-kind foods include pretzels, breadsticks, popcorn, veggies, nuts, fruit, cheese, rice cakes (plain), sandwiches, crackers and cheese, hummus and dips.
- Eat snacks in one go, not slowly over time.
When can we have treats and what can we have?
- Keep treats to meal times, like a dessert (not every day).
- The worst type of sugar is sucrose, found in sweets and biscuits, etc.
- If a treat is sticky (jellies, dried fruit, chewy sweets, toffee) it will stick in the crevices in the back molars and stay there for ages, doing damage.
- Avoid things that last a long time, like lollipops and hard-boiled sweets.
- Sugar-free chewing gum is great for making saliva, and saliva is great for teeth.
- Finish off meals with water, cheese or milk – this neutralises sugar in the meal.
Drinks
- Milk and water are the only really tooth-safe drinks. Even ‘no added sugar’ juices contain natural sugars – be careful!
- Drink only water after the night-time brush – not milk.
