Tooth Fairy Advice: Snacks That Cause Icky Cavities

Tooth Fairy Advice: Snacks That Cause Icky Cavities

Hi! It’s Lucy Tooth. As a Tooth Fairy, I’ve been traveling all over the world checking on the teeth of children, and I’ve noticed that some of their favorite snacks can be the biggest culprits for causing cavities. Cavities are tiny holes in your teeth that can hurt and make it hard for you to eat your favorite foods. To help you keep your teeth healthy and strong, I’ve put together a list of the most common snacks that can cause icky cavities, and what you can do to protect your pearly whites.

Sweet and sticky treats

Sweets like candy, cookies, and cake are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to causing cavities. The sugar in these treats can stick to your teeth and feed the bacteria in your mouth. Over time, this can lead to cavities. If you love sweets, try to limit how often you eat them and brush your teeth after you enjoy a sweet treat.

Sugary drinks

Drinks like soda, sports drinks, and juice can also be bad for your teeth. They contain a lot of sugar, which can harm your teeth just like sweets. If you’re going to drink sugary drinks, try to limit how much you have and drink water after you finish. Drinking water can help rinse away the sugar and keep your mouth healthy.

Get FREE Snack Chart (Cavity Version)

Starchy snacks

Snacks like chips, crackers, and bread can also be harmful to your teeth. When you eat these types of snacks, the starch turns into sugar in your mouth. The sugar then sticks to your teeth and can cause cavities. If you’re going to eat starchy snacks, try to have them with a meal instead of as a snack. This can help limit the amount of time the sugar is in your mouth and reduce your risk of cavities.

Dried fruit

Dried fruit like raisins, apricots, and dates can also cause cavities. This is because the fruit is sticky and the sugar in the fruit can stick to your teeth. To reduce your risk of cavities, try to limit how much dried fruit you eat, and brush your teeth after you enjoy a snack.

Chewy candy

Chewy candy like taffy, gummies, and caramels can be particularly harmful to your teeth. These types of candy can stick to your teeth and take a long time to dissolve. This gives the bacteria in your mouth plenty of time to feed on the sugar and cause cavities. If you’re going to eat chewy candy, try to have it with a meal instead of as a snack, and brush your teeth after you enjoy your treat.

Get FREE Snack Chart (Cavity Version)

In addition to avoiding these types of snacks as much as possible, there are other things you can do to protect your teeth from cavities. Here are a few tips:

1. Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen your teeth and make them more resistant to cavities.
2. Floss every day. Flossing helps remove food and plaque from between your teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach. This can help prevent cavities and gum disease.
3. Drink plenty of water. Drinking water can help rinse away sugar and food particles from your teeth, and can help keep your mouth healthy.
4. Visit the dentist regularly. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help prevent cavities and other dental problems. Your dentist can also help you keep your teeth healthy and strong by checking for any signs of cavities or gum disease.

You might enjoy the fun ideas in this Tooth Fairy’s Guide to Healthy Teeth. I hope these tips inspire you and your child to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Remember, Tooth Fairies love to reward sparkling clean teeth with tiny gifts and stories. Be ready for the next wiggle!

Get FREE Snack Chart (Healthy Version)