Snack Facts

Plaque that naturally grows in your mouth, combines with carbohydrates, starches and/or acidic foods to produce an acid that "eats" away at teeth and forms cavities. Any carbohydrate, starch and/or acidic food in large quantities and/or high frequencies especially between meals can cause cavities. A good rule of thumb is – everything in moderation!

Cavity causing snacks include:

Starches –

• Snack crackers such as Cheez-Its, Goldfish, pretzels, cheese puffs, popcorn
• Bars such as Rice Krispie and Special K
• Granola and trail mix
• Cereals such as Cheerios, Corn Flakes, Captain Crunch
• Chips such as Fritos, Doritos, potato chips
• Cookies, donuts, pies, muffins, brownies, cake
• Breads such as wheat, white, biscuits, rolls
• Grains such as oats and barley
• Potatoes, corn, beans

Sugars –

• Dried fruits (for example raisins), fruit snacks, fruit roll ups, gummy bears and worms, gummy vitamins, jelly
• Candy of any kind including gum, breath mints, Lifesavers, cough drops, lemon drops, Jolly Ranches, Sour Patch candy, candy bars, Tic-Tacs, Altoids
• Pastries, fruit pies
• Ice cream
• Many artificial sweeteners also are cavity forming

Drinks –

• Soft drinks regular or diet
• Coffee additives such as creams, sweeteners, sugar
• Sports drinks such as Gatorade, Propel, Poweraide, energy drinks
• Teas such as Lipton Green Tea, Arizona Tea or additives to tea
• Juices such as orange, apple, grape, Fruitopia

Tooth Healthy snacks include:

Fruits -

• Apples
• Oranges
• Pineapple
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Bananas
• Strawberries, etc

Raw Vegetables -

• Celery
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Pea pods
• Green beans, etc

Cheese -

• Aged
• Cheddar
• Swiss
• Mozzarella, etc

Yogurt -

• Low sugar

Cliff Lake Dental Care Recommendations for high cavity risk patients:

• Dietary counseling including a two week food diary
• Improving home care (brushing 2x/day and flossing 1x/day)
• Prescription strength fluoride toothpaste
• In Office fluoride treatments