Now that the new school year has begun, you have a list of morning responsibilities that must be completed to get the day started right. One of them involves packing a lunch for your child. While it’s great to provide your kiddo with food from home, your children’s dentist says that when it comes to maintaining healthy teeth and gums, some foods are better than others. As you continue reading, you’ll learn what you should be packing in your child’s lunch and what to avoid.
What to Pack
Here are some healthy food ideas to keep in mind when you’re shopping for items to add to your child’s lunch:
Apples
There are several benefits to eating apples. In addition to being loaded with vitamin C, B-complex vitamins and other key nutrients, apples are also excellent for fortifying your child’s oral health, as their hard skin helps to remove leftover food from the teeth when eaten.
Spinach
Green leafy vegetables are loaded with vitamin K, which helps to promote the synthetization of protein. As it pertains specifically to oral health, this is significant because protein helps to build gum tissue.
Fish
One of the healthiest forms of protein available, fish is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which promotes heart health. Because it’s also an excellent source of vitamin D, fish consumption also plays an important role in fortifying your child’s teeth and jawbone.
Oranges
Because oranges are loaded with vitamin C, they offer a host of benefits for your child. Not only do they contain antioxidants that help to prevent swollen and infected gums, but they can also help to satiate your child’s sweet cravings in a healthier manner.
Yogurt
Another high-protein snack option is yogurt. In addition to being an excellent protein source, yogurt also contains calcium, an important mineral that helps to strengthen the teeth.
What to Avoid
Now that you’re better aware of the types of foods to pack to ensure your child a healthy lunch, there are, of course, some foods and beverages that should be avoided. Although the following items are generally considered, “healthy,” the reality is they can be detrimental to your child’s oral wellness, which can spell a future headache for you:
- Granola
- Sports Drinks
- Trail Mix
- Dried Fruit
- Smoothies
The common denominator of these items is they are all typically high in sugar. This is problematic because the latter is the #1 food of choice of bacteria. Thus, consumption of these types of foods and beverages can encourage the development of cavities and the overall degradation of your child’s oral health.
Additional Help is Available
By taking heed to what you’ve learned, you can have greater peace-of-mind in knowing that your child is eating and drinking items that promote better oral health. In addition to making these changes, though, it’s important for your child to receive semi-annual preventive care from your family dentist, which includes a professional cleaning and examination. Therefore, he or she can enjoy a healthy and happy school year!
About the Author
Dr. Shelly Strohman earned her dental degree from the UMKC School of Dentistry. She has since gone on to provide high-quality dental care to the Wichita Falls area for over a decade. Dr. Strohman treats patients of all ages at Strohman Dental, and she can be reached for more information through her website.