During diwali , Christmas and summer holidays kids have a lot of free time . Since they have no work they feel like eating whatever mummy has hidden in the snacks dabba !!!!

Eating snacks frequently in between meals is called untimely snacking. It is an unhealthy eating habit.

ILL EFFECTS OF UNTIMELY SNACKING

• Healthy food leads to healthy gums and healthy teeth.
• What you eat , frequency of eating   and amount of time food remains in the oral cavity  will affect the health of your gums and teeth.
• Untimely snacking or snacking throughout the day increases the chances of decay.
• Food with fermentable carbohydrates , sugar reacts with bacteria present in the mouth. (sugar is food for the bacteria in the mouth )

• This leads to release of acid . This acid slowly demineralises the enamel of the tooth. This demineralization continues for 20 to 30 minutes after every meal.
•  During a meal flow of saliva increases. Saliva has buffering capuaity. It neutralizes the acid attack on enamel and brings about remineralization.
• In there is frequent snacking in between meals demineralization keeps occurring  but saliva does not get the chance to remineralize. This leads to formation of dental cavity.

PREVENTION

• A well balanced diet will lead to a healthy diet and healthy you.
• Rinse your mouth every meal.
• Avoid eating in between meals. Give time for saliva to carry out cleansing action.
•  Drink lots of water (8 glasses a day )
•  Brush twice daily.
• 6 monthly dental check up.
• Change your tooth every 3 months.
• Spaces in between should be cleaned using floss or interdental brush .

• Avoid junk food , aerated drinks.
• Sticky food causes more decay no sticky food.
• Avoid use of chocolates, biscuits and wafers.
• Limit use of sugar containing aerated drinks.
• Include cereals, vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and proteins , milk products like yogurt and cheese in your regular diet.

• Completely avoiding sugar and fermentable carbs is difficult. Try making it a part of your meals because during meals saliva secretion increases so it efficiently neutralizes the acid produced.
• You can use sugarless gums after meals since it increases the flow of saliva and decreases the chance of decay.

Conclusion

Now am not telling you to stop eating what you like. I just want you to choose your food smartly, eat at the right time and maintain your teeth , so that you can enjoy eating what you like throughout your life.