The simplest way to prevent decay is complete plaque removal twice daily (by brushing and flossing) and the elimination of sugar between meals. Active children are less likely to dwell on snacking and it's always better to quench thirst with water.
In place of sugary snacks, substitute foods such as fresh fruit, nuts or raw vegetables. Save sweets for mealtime when your child will clean his/her teeth afterward. The following are lists of sucrose-containing foods that should be avoided in between meals and a list of snacks to encourage:
| SNACKS TO AVOID | SNACKS TO ENCOURAGE |
| Fruit Juices | Fresh Fruit: Apples, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, Grapes... |
| Sports Drinks (Gatorade) | Water |
| Candy | Fresh Vegetables: Carrots, Pea Pods, Celery... |
| Roll Ups | Nuts: Walnuts, Pecans, Cashews... |
| Sugar-coated Cereal | Sunflower Seeds |
| Cakes, Cookies, Donuts, Pie, Pastries | Crackers - plain and salted |
| Caramel Corn | Pretzels |
| Ice Cream, Sherbet | String Cheese |
| Fruit Sweetened with Syrup | Dill Pickles |
| Jam, Jelly, Honey | Popcorn |
| Dry Cereal | Chicken Kabobs |
| Peanut Butter with Added Sugar | Plain Yogurt |
| Chocolate Milk | Pizza |
| Soft Drinks | Pumpkin Seeds |
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Dentistry now has enough knowledge to completely prevent decay. Our job is to educate parents so they may guide their children to good dental health.