Does back-to-school mean packing a lunchbox for your child? If so, we encourage you to choose foods that are good for your child’s overall health as well as their dental health. Here, we’ll share some teeth-friendly lunchbox ideas for kids!
- Raw Celery & Carrots
- Apples with the Skin
- Minimally Processed Cheese
- Low-Sugar Yogurt
Kids love raw celery and carrots in their lunchbox because these crunchy veggies can be paired with yummy dips like peanut butter or hummus. We love them because they contain vitamin A, which is great for gum health; celery also contains vitamin C, which reduces inflammation in the mouth. Additionally, they are high in fiber and simply chewing on these snacks increases salivary flow. A healthy flow of saliva will help remineralize and strengthen your child’s tooth enamel. It will also help wash away bad bacteria and lingering food particles in your child’s mouth.
Apple slices are a terrific snack for your child’s lunchbox because they are crunchy and taste good, especially paired with peanut butter. Like celery, apples contain vitamin C, which is important for a healthy mouth, and their fibrous texture will help clean your child’s teeth of plaque and other food debris. Maximize an apple’s health benefits by encouraging your child to eat this crunchy fruit with its skin on.
Who doesn’t love a string cheese in their lunchbox? In moderation, cheese is a delicious snack that will promote superb oral health because it is high in calcium, phosphorus, and protein. While its nutrients will help build and strengthen your child’s tooth enamel, even just chewing the cheese will stimulate salivary flow and aid in remineralization. Cheese can also raise the pH level in your child’s mouth, which makes it more difficult for bacteria to thrive, thus lowering your child’s risk of developing cavities. However, be sure to avoid cheese from a can and other highly processed varieties of cheese.
Like cheese, sugar-free or low-sugar yogurt is high in calcium, phosphorus, and protein that will help remineralize your child’s tooth enamel and protect it from decay. Yogurt also has probiotics, considered to be “good bacteria”, that can actually replace the bad bacteria in your child’s mouth. An abundance of good bacteria will help keep your child’s mouth clean and healthy. Avoid yogurt with sugar as its main ingredient, as too much sugar isn’t good for your child’s teeth or their growing body.
Schedule Your Child’s Next Checkup!
If it’s been six months since your child’s last dental visit, start their school year off right with a trip to Helotes Family Dentistry so we can make sure their gums are healthy and their teeth are clean and cavity-free. They’re sure to love our friendly team, complimentary snacks and drinks, TVs with Netflix, movie glasses, cozy pillows and blankets, and kids’ play area. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your child.
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