Tooth-Friendly Alternatives to Chocolate

When Valentine’s Day rolls around each year, we often look to spoil our loved ones with romantic gestures. Chocolate may be a staple on Valentine’s Day, but there are plenty of other tooth-friendly and healthy options to give your child or the ones you love on this holiday.

Our team at Pediatric Dental Specialists is big on your child’s dental health, so we’ve compiled some of our favorite tooth-friendly options for your children to indulge in this holiday.

Fresh Fruit

You can’t go wrong with fresh fruit! Naturally sweet and full of nutrients, fruit can replace the craving you may get for some sugar. Switch out chocolate for easy-to-grab selections like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or grapes. Apple slices are also a great choice for snacking because their crunchy texture can help clean your teeth as you chew them.

If you’re looking for a fun way to eat fruit, try cutting up small pieces of your favorite fruits and making fruit kabobs. Who doesn’t love a snack on a stick? Not to mention, it’s portable and has little to no clean up. And if your children like to dip their foods, you can use a low-fat Greek yogurt as a delicious and nutritious dip for your fruit kabobs and slices.

Cheese and Crackers

Cheese makes a great snack because it’s delicious and easy to eat. Parents can feel good about giving their kids cheese because it is full of vitamins and minerals like calcium, which helps fortify teeth and bones. There are many types of cheese to choose from, so the options and combinations are endless!

If you are looking for something crunchy to go with your cheese, choose a whole wheat or whole grain cracker, which will help ensure you’re getting enough grains in your diet. Whole grains are also high in fiber, which helps promote saliva production and allows your body to naturally wash away bacteria in your mouth.

Homemade Smoothies

Smoothies are an excellent snack choice and chocolate alternative because they can be made from just about anything. If you need a little help getting started, use this simple smoothie formula:

• ½ to 1 cup of a liquid base
• 1 tbsp to ¼ cup of a creamy add-in
• ½ tsp to 1 tbsp of a flavor boost
• 1 to 2 cups of frozen fruits and vegetables
• Touch of sweetener, if desired

Ideas for a liquid base include water, juice, or milk. If you choose juice, be cautious of the amount of added sugar it contains. A creamy add-in could include yogurt, avocado, nut butter, or coconut cream. If you’re looking for a flavor boost, you can add your favorite spices or flavor enhancers, like cinnamon, vanilla extract, a splash of lemon juice, or even mint. As for the fruits and vegetables, pick and choose the ones your children love the most, or you can try some traditional pairings like coconut and banana for a tropical flair or cherries and blueberries for a berry-delicious treat.

Smoothies are super easy to make and eat, and they can quickly become a child’s favorite because they’re so customizable. You can also get your children involved by not only having them pick out the flavors they want, but letting them press the button on the blender.

Sugar-Free Gum

Sometimes, you just want to chew on something. If that’s the case, look for sugar-free gum. Believe it or not, sugar-free gum can actually be good for your dental health. Dentists say chewing sugar-free gum 20 minutes after eating a meal can help with saliva production, which helps balance the pH in your mouth and wash away food particles and bacteria. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can also help prevent tooth decay. Sugar-free gum contains xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener that doesn’t cause damage to the enamel of your teeth.

There are plenty of flavor choices for sugar-free gum on the shelves. If you aren’t sure which brand to pick, look for ones that carry the American Dental Association, or ADA, seal. That means those products are recommended by some of our country’s best dental professionals.

Homemade Valentine’s Day Treats

To avoid chocolate and sugar this Valentine’s Day, you can choose to make some healthy treats at home. It’s even better if you make them with your loved ones!

Homemade granola bars are a favorite because they satisfy a crunchy, salty, and sweet craving. Choose your favorite nut(s) and oats and add a dash of honey to make a craveable snack. Nuts are packed with healthy protein, and their crunchy texture helps promote saliva production, which we know is good for your teeth.

If you are a cookie lover, this website offers 12 sugar-free recipes. Find your favorite, or try all 12!

Visit Pediatric Dental Specialists today!

If you find that you or your child overindulge in sweet things during the holiday, don’t despair. Getting back to good oral health habits such as brushing twice a day and flossing can set you on the path for a happy and healthy mouth. 

As part of a good oral health routine, it is also recommended that you visit the dentist at least twice a year. If your child hasn’t seen us in a while, give us a call today to make an appointment!