One of the best parts of the holiday season is the abundance of treats. With cookies, cakes, and candy filling the table, it’s easy for kids to get carried away and enjoy more sugary treats than usual. All of this extra sugar can wreak havoc on their teeth and lead to cavities. While enjoying some treats in moderation is okay, your kids’ dentist would prefer that they enjoy more of these tooth-friendly foods instead. 

5 Holiday Foods That Are Good for Teeth

1. Vegetables

A vegetable tray is a staple on any holiday buffet. Not only are veggies a healthy alternative to high-sugar, high-fat desserts, many are also good for teeth as well. Fibrous vegetables like celery and carrots help clean the teeth. Many kids’ dentists refer to them as “nature’s toothbrushes,” so feel free to pile on the veggies.

2. Fruit

Fruits offer the sweetness kids crave without as much sugar. Like vegetables, fruits provide nutrients and fiber, especially when you choose options like apples, which can help clean teeth. Kiwis, berries, grapes, and bananas are also healthy options that won’t contribute to cavities. 

3. Cheese

Most kids love cheese, and that’s good news for their teeth: Not only is cheese a good source of calcium to strengthen their pearly whites, but it can also raise the pH in the mouth, making it less acidic and helping protect tooth enamel.

4. Nuts

Nuts like walnuts and almonds are packed with nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and iron, all of which help support healthy teeth. They can also help keep bacteria from building up on the teeth. Chewing nuts stimulates saliva production, which helps remove cavity-causing bacteria. 

5. Low-Sugar Baked Goods

Protecting your kids’ teeth doesn’t mean you need to ban all sugary treats—just enjoy them in moderation. Also, offer lower-sugar versions of their favorites so even if they do sneak an extra cookie or two, it won’t be as detrimental to their teeth.

The American Heart Association recommends replacing sugar in baked goods with unsweetened applesauce or reducing the amount of sugar in the recipe by one-third to one-half. In most cases, no one will notice the difference. 

If you need a kids’ dentist to care for your children this holiday season, turn to Pediatric Dentistry Kahala in Honolulu, HI. For more than 24 year, Dr. Allen K. Hirai and his staff have cared for children of all ages in a warm and welcoming environment. They’re also one of the only non-sedation pediatric dental practices on the islands. Call (808) 737-0076 for an appointment, or learn more about the practice online.