The school bell rings and kids excitedly scatter, heading toward home, extracurricular activities or friends’ houses. But wherever they go, oftentimes an after-school snack is part of the deal.

Unfortunately, many popular children’s snacks are packed with sugar, starches or other cavity-causing acids that eat away at their teeth. Even seemingly healthy options can contain high amounts of sugar or starches. One serving of applesauce or raisins contains as much as six teaspoons of sugar.

Parents are surprised to find out that many natural snacks contain just as much sugar as candy. And if not removed by brushing or other means, sugars in the mouth can contribute to tooth decay and cavities.

According to the American Heart Association, preschoolers shouldn’t eat more than four teaspoons of added sugar a day and children ages 4-8 should only have three teaspoons a day. A serving of applesauce or a candy bar has about six teaspoons of sugar alone.

This is why it’s important your kids learn how to snack smart. Follow these tips to help teach them how to protect their pearly whites:

• Pick low-sugar options like carrots, bananas, cheese, whole wheat crackers, pickles, milk, plain yogurt, or unsalted nuts.

• Don’t allow your kids to graze. If they’re going to have a sweet snack, eating one treat after a meal, rather than several throughout the day, limits the time their teeth are exposed to cavity causing sugars and acids. Teeth need time to rest and repair, so limit the number of sweet snacks you give to your child.

• After snacking, encourage them to brush their teeth. If brushing is not an option, have them drink a glass of water to help wash away the sugar and neutralize the acid. Alternatively, give them sugar-free gum. This will help stimulate saliva flow and have the same effect.

• Don’t allow snacking after they’ve brushed their teeth at night. Sugar that’s on their teeth overnight feed cavity causing bacteria.

• Limit the consumption of sugary drinks like juice and soda. When they do drink them, provide a straw, which limits the sugary beverage’s contact with teeth.

Eating healthy, mouth-friendly snacks can be just as important to kids’ oral health as brushing and flossing. And because many habits acquired during childhood continue into adulthood, teaching kids smart snacking skills can improve their oral and overall health for a lifetime.

Dr. Ron Inge is vice president and dental director for Washington Dental Service and executive director of the Institute for Oral Health.