Dentistry is about more than simply filling teeth. As in any other field of health, smart dental hygiene is often as much about prevention as anything else. When it comes to dental care, dietary choices and good habits make a difference, even choices as quotidian as which foods we choose to snack on.

Pediatric Dental Group has been practicing dentistry in Honolulu since 1966, with a special focus on dental hygiene for kids. Below, this trusted practice offers a few tips on choosing the best snacks for optimal dental care.

How To Choose The Best Snacks For Good Dental Hygiene

The Role Of Sugars

Much has been written in recent years about how sugars of various sorts affect nutrition in general, but regarding dental hygiene, the consensus has long been that sugars pose a hazard. This is because bacteria that accumulates on teeth surfaces, called plaque, feed on sugars in the mouth, releasing acids that can contribute to tooth decay in the process. The less sugar plaque has to feed on, the fewer acids it produces.

Contributing Factors

Of course, it’s not quite as simple as avoiding sugars. Certain snacks pose a higher risk of tooth decay. For instance, gooey or sticky snacks may result in sugar staying in the mouth for longer to feed plaque. Snacking on sweets frequently throughout the day can cause more problems for dental hygiene than a one-time sugar bomb for dessert after dinner.

7 Suggested Snacks For Dental Hygiene

The best snacks for dental care will be relatively low in sugar and typically high in either crunchiness or in the calcium and nutrients that promote healthy teeth. Below are a few great examples:

• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Carrots & Celery
• Crunchy Fruits (Apples Or Pears)
• Hummus With Whole-Grain Pitas
• Almonds Or Other Nuts (Unsweetened)
• Cucumber & Tomato Salad

Choosing the right snacks, along with a responsible regimen of brushing and flossing, can go a long way toward promoting dental hygiene. Of course, any good dental care program should also include regular visits to a trusted local dentist. For trustworthy dental care in Honolulu, HI, choose Pediatric Dental Group. Visit them online to find out more, or call (808) 593-8828 today to schedule an appointment!