Pediatric Dental Group has been providing quality dental care and expert advice since 1966. Their dentistry practices are gentle, effective, and tailored especially for children. Though they encourage regular checkups and teeth cleaning, they also advise parents to take a close look at their child's diet, to ensure they are eating the right foods to protect their teeth.

Protect Tooth Enamel with Calcium-Rich Foods

Cheese, chicken, nuts, and milk are great foods to include in your child’s diet because they contain the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth. Remineralizing is a natural process in which minerals are redeposited in enamel, strengthening it.

Prepare Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables

Firm fruits, like apples and pears, and vegetables, like cucumbers and carrots, have a higher water content which dilutes the effect of the sugar they contain. Chewing them also stimulates saliva, which cleanses teeth and washes away any sugars or food particles. Acidic fruits and veggies, like tomatoes, lemons, and oranges, should be served as part of a meal to mitigate their acidic effect on enamel.

Avoid Serving Sugary Drinks and Sweets

Though often delicious, sugary drinks like soda, sweet tea, and lemonade and carbohydrates, like bread, cereal, muffins, cake become decay-causing acids when they are broken down by saliva. The acid then wears down your enamel and causes cavities. You should avoid giving these foods to your children, but if you do, use moderation and make sure they brush shortly after!

For any other dental hygiene questions, orthodontics services, or dental exams, schedule an appointment at Pediatric Dental Group by calling (808) 593-8828 for the Honolulu office or (808) 245-2131 for the Lihue office. Happy eating!