The most obvious way to promote your child’s oral health is to teach them proper dental care, including daily brushing and flossing and regular trips to the dentist for teeth cleanings and exams. What you feed your child is a critical part of their oral hygiene, too, and that doesn’t mean just avoiding sugary snacks and soda; there are foods that actually help keep teeth cleaner and healthier. Pediatric Dental Group, a pediatric dentistry practice in Honolulu, HI, has over 51 years of experience helping parents and their children develop a dental care routine and nutritional habits that strengthen their teeth.

Here are some suggestions from the children’s dentist at Pediatric Dental Group regarding what to feed your kids for healthy teeth:

• Cheese: Cheese, as well as other dairy products such as milk and yogurt, is great for children’s teeth. Not only is it full of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, vitamin D, and phosphate, but it increases the pH level in your mouth, reducing the amount of acid left behind by starchy foods and, ultimately, the risk of tooth decay.

• Nuts & Seeds: Nuts and seeds are a great source of protein, which helps strengthen tooth enamel and provides a boost of energy. If your kid is a picky eater and turned off by almonds, try a trail mix that has sunflower and pumpkin seeds, peanuts, and cashews.

• Carrots & Celery: Crunchy raw veggies, such as carrots and celery, are like nature’s toothbrush, helping remove plaque that builds up in between brushing. Pack some carrot sticks or celery topped with low-sugar peanut butter in your kid’s lunch, so cavity-causing acid doesn’t sit on their teeth all day.

For more tips on how to take care of your kid’s teeth in between dental exams, check out the FAQ with the dental care team at Pediatric Dental Group. Call (808) 593-8828 to schedule an appointment at their Honolulu pediatric dentistry clinic, or visit them online.