Snack Attack! 3 Great Oral Health-Friendly Treats for Kids

Keeping your child’s smile healthy starts with what they eat! Many popular snacks are packed with carbs and sugars that can lead to sticky plaque buildup and cavities. But don’t worry, you can still meet their demands for tasty treats while keeping their oral health intact! Read on to find three delicious snack recipes that are not only healthy but also gentle on your child’s smile.
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Apple Cheddar Quesadillas

This pairing may seem strange at first, but it’s actually a fun take on a traditional New England favorite. Apples are high in fiber and water, which helps clean teeth as your child chews. Pairing these with some creamy calcium-rich cheese is a fantastic match.

They’re also incredibly easy to prepare at any time. First, warm up some flour tortillas. Next, cut your apples of choice into small chunks and place them into a pan with some sharp cheddar cheese. Then, let the mixture melt and cook together for a couple of minutes before placing on a tortilla, folding it over, and cutting it into slices.

Yogurt-Dipped Berries

Nothing is better on a hot day than a cool treat, but instead of sugary popsicles, you can serve your child these super-poppable dipped berries. These will be their next favorite snack guaranteed!

To start, add some flavorful Greek yogurt and a teaspoon of honey to a small bowl. Next, use a toothpick to dip each berry in the mixture before placing it on a parchment paper-lined tray. After freezing them for a couple of hours, they’re ready for munching!

These berries are high in protein, calcium, and various vitamins that will strengthen your child’s smile.

Crunchy Veggie Sticks and Hummus

Ditch chips for this crunchy, savory snack. Carrots and cucumbers are great for teeth because they help stimulate saliva production, which washes away food particles and bacteria. Hummus, made from chickpeas, is a protein-packed dip that won’t harm enamel.

You can either make this one at home from scratch or pick up a dip and pre-cut sticks from your local grocery store. Either way, you’ll be ready to kick the unhealthy, overprocessed carbs in potato chips and serve up something better.

These snacks are a great way to show your child that healthy eating can be both tasty and fun! By swapping out sugary, cavity-causing foods with these wholesome alternatives, you’re protecting their smile and helping them create a healthy relationship with nutritious food.

About the Author

Healthy kids are happy kids and Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis loves to help them learn more about their smiles. She’s a board-certified pediatric dentist with specialty training from the University of Texas Houston. Over the years, she’s dedicated her career to quality dental care for kids and education for children and their parents! To schedule an appointment for your child at Aledo Pediatric Dentistry, call (817) 406-2025 or visit our website to learn more!

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