Many of the parents who walk through our doors at Hacienda Pediatric Dentistry want to know how to best care for their children’s teeth. Besides the basics, like regular brushing and flossing, there are plenty of things parents can do to help their children preserve their smiles. These include adequate protection during sports, drinking plenty of water, getting orthodontics (sometimes), and of course, eating nutritious food. For the most part, eating a balanced diet will result in strong, healthy teeth, but if you’d like to supercharge your family’s diet for great smiles, here’s how to do it! Below is our guide to tooth-friendly grocery shopping in Diamond Bar: 

Dark Leafy Greens

Vegetables like spinach and kale are superfoods that are packed with tons of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants necessary to keep your teeth and gums healthy. These greens contain folic acid, which is great for gum health. So the next time you’re looking for items in the produce section, you can skip the iceberg lettuce and head straight for the dark leafy greens. 

Carrots and Celery

Carrots and celery have high water content, vitamins, and minerals, particularly keratin and vitamin A.  Keratin is a structural protein that aids in the formation of dentin and vitamin A helps build tooth enamel. Plus, carrots and celery have a unique fibrous texture that can help scrub plaque from your teeth!

Apples

Like celery and carrots, apples have a texture that naturally cleans away unwanted plaque. Apples also have just enough acidity to prevent bad breath without damaging the enamel. Other fruits may be too citric or pigmented for your teeth, resulting in decayed or discolored teeth. 

Dairy

Most parents know that calcium builds strong bones and teeth and the best way to get it is through dairy products. Try nonfat Greek yogurt with fruit and honey for a tasty treat that’s not too high in sugar! Yogurt contains good bacteria that can balance the pH in your mouth, creating an inhospitable environment for cavity-causing bacteria. Milk and cheese are also great for teeth. Just be sure to check the ingredients label and nutrition facts before making any purchases. Some brands of “cheese” are actually made with less milk and more fillers like sugar, salt, artificial flavorings, and fat. 

Tea

Green and black tea are full of amazing antioxidants that benefit your health in more ways than one.They contain compounds that can help prevent periodontal disease by prohibiting the activity of bacteria. Of course, tea also contains tannins that can cause discoloration and stains on your teeth. Instead of drinking your tea hot, ice it and sip with a straw! It’s a great energy boost that you can replace your morning coffee with, as long as you don’t add any extra sugar. Since you probably don’t want your kids bouncing off the walls, you may want to get decaffeinated tea for them! 

In general, you’ll want to stay away from sugary and starchy foods and drinks when grocery shopping. Bacteria in the mouth convert sugar into acid that erodes the enamel. Luckily, there are tons of substitutes available for typical starches and sugars now! For example, almond flour and quinoa can replace bread while stevia and xylitol can replace sweets. 

To get you started on your tooth-friendly grocery shopping, here are a few of our favorite places to shop here in Diamond Bar! 

H-Mart Diamond Bar

2825 S Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Sprouts Farmers Market

239 S Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Walmart Neighborhood Market

1180 S Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Hannam Chain World Market

21080 Golden Springs Dr, Diamond Bar, CA 91789

Smart and Final Extra!

240 S Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

New India Sweets and Spices

303 S Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Diamond Fresh Farmers Market

21168 Golden Springs Dr, Diamond Bar, CA 91789

After you and your family enjoy your new tooth-friendly meals, don’t forget to brush and floss! Another important element of oral care is practicing good oral hygiene every day and seeing the pediatric dentist regularly! If you’re due for an appointment soon, give our Diamond Bar pediatric dentist a call!