Everyone knows vegetables are healthy for your body, but did you know celery is actually great for your teeth as well? The pediatric dentists at Pedodontic Associates are celebrating National Celery Month this March, and they want families on Oahu and Maui to as well.

Celery is a vegetable that is high in water content and dietary fiber but low in calories, which makes it a refreshing and guiltless snack. Plus, because it is firm and crisp, it can actually help to clean the teeth as its eaten. Because it takes a little extra chewing to swallow a celery stick, the mouth produces more saliva, which neutralizes acid created by cavity causing bacteria.   Abrasive foods such as celery also massage the gums and clean between teeth; it’s nature’s toothbrush!

In addition to being good for teeth, celery is a good source of vitamin C, B6, is high in potassium and low in cholesterol. Here are some suggestions from the expert  pediatric dentists at Pedodontic Associates for incorporating celery into a child’s diet and dental care routine:

• Serve An After-school Snack: Substitute a handful of celery sticks instead of Oreos once a day to scrub teeth clean between morning and evening brushings.
• Make Ants On A Log: If the kids aren’t knocking one another over to get to the celery, turn it into a snack that looks like ants sitting on the log. Have them fill the center of the celery stick with peanut butter, then put a few raisins on top. If they aren’t a fan of raisins, chocolate chips work too.
• Grow It At Home: Buy a bunch of celery from the grocery store, and chop the celery stalks from the base. This time, instead of tossing the base in the trash, rinse it and place base-side down in a small bowl of warm water. In about a week, transfer the celery base to a planter and cover it with dirt and potting soil. Water generously and wait another week to see stalks beginning to sprout. Incorporating a fun project into dental responsibility makes kids more eager to eat what they've grown themselves. 

For good dental care and good health, eat one celery stick a day during National Celery Month this March, but don’t forget to brush and floss daily too. For more information about good dental care from the pediatric dentists at Pedodontic Associates, visit their website or call the Aiea office at (808) 487-7933, the Honolulu office at (808) 735-1733, or the Kahului office at (808) 877-0066 to schedule your appointment today.