You take your child to the dentist and encourage them to brush their teeth, but what else could you do to help their overall oral hygiene? While it’s true that most foods can contribute to plaque formation, a nutritious diet helps the teeth, jaw bone, and gum tissue stay healthy. Here are three foods that have additional advantages for your children’s teeth and how you can incorporate them into an everyday diet. 

3 Foods That Improve Oral Health 

1. Celery & Carrots 

Naturally crunchy vegetables like celery and carrots help scrub the surfaces of the teeth while simultaneously giving your child a boost of vitamin C. To top it off, both celery and carrots are delicious refrigerated or at room temperature, making it easy to pack them along as a snack. To encourage your child to eat these vegetables, pack them along with their sandwich for lunch or keep some cut and available in the refrigerator for after school.

2. Dairy Products

Milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products are high in calcium, which helps strengthen dental enamel and bone tissue. Additionally, dentists recommend cheese because it contains cultures that crowd out oral bacteria, preventing cavity formation. Consider serving cheese after meals to help neutralize the bacterial acids in your child’s mouths, or keeping some on hand for a filling snack later in the evening.

3. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens present in a salad are high in a long list of beneficial nutrients, including folic acid and calcium. Greens also contain nutrients that help ward off gingivitis and periodontal disease, which can occur in children, too. Serve side salads to your family with dinner, and think about using leafy greens as a substitute for hamburger buns.

In addition to feeding your child a healthy diet, it is crucial to make regular appointments with your child’s dentist for routine teeth cleanings. At Sun Dental and Orthodontics in North Branch, MN, the entire team focuses on offering well-rounded dental care for the entire family, ranging from preventative procedures and repairs to cosmetic restorations to improve the look of the smile. To learn more or schedule an appointment with one of their dentists, visit them online or call (651) 674-4811.