Back to School season is officially here, which means you’ll soon be responsible again for packing up your child’s school lunches and snacks. It isn’t always easy to make sure your child eats healthy. After all, kids love sweets. But the good news is that there are some snacks you can pack into your child’s school lunch that can do double-duty for their physical health and their dental health.
Apples are great for you for a variety of reasons. First, they’re high in fiber, which is great for your child’s digestive system. They’re also high in vitamin C, which is not only good for your child’s body but also for their teeth. When absorbed naturally through vitamin C-rich foods like apples, vitamin C can help to strengthen your teeth and enamel.
Apples are also good for your child’s teeth because of their texture. Apples act as natural sponges, helping to gently brush your child’s teeth and keep plaque off the surface. The skin of the apple can also act as a natural dental floss, gently removing plaque from between your child’s teeth as an act of preventative care.
Speaking of natural dental floss, celery sticks are a great snack option to place in your child’s lunch box if you’re looking to fight back against plaque. Celery strings naturally and gently remove plaque from between your child’s teeth as they chew. There’s a common myth that celery doesn’t do much when it comes to providing health benefits, but that’s not true. Celery is actually just as healthy for your child’s body as it is for their teeth. Celery contains vitamin C, which strengths your child’s teeth, and is also a great source of antioxidants, which can help to boost your child’s immune system.
Cheesesticks and yogurt are great sources of calcium. Calcium helps your child build strong bones and maintain strong teeth. But that’s not all that calcium does. Calcium is also beneficial for your child’s muscles, nerves, and heart. Yogurt also contains probiotics, which can help to keep your child’s digestive system healthy. Additionally, both cheese and yogurt alike are rich in phosphorous, which helps to repair your child’s tooth enamel to fight back against cavities.
Carrots come in all shapes and sizes and can be cut any which way to fit into your child’s lunch box. They can also be added to salads, eaten raw, or eaten cooked if your child’s a picky eater. Like apples and celery, carrots work as a natural toothbrush, gently removing plaque from your child’s teeth as they chew.
Carrots are also great for your child’s body, specifically their eyes. This is because carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is a compound that your body transforms into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps to reduce your risk of cataracts, encourages healthy growth, and also helps your body fight back against infection and illness by boosting your immune system.
Healthy snacks are a great way to keep your child’s teeth in great shape throughout the school year. However, it’s important to keep in mind that healthy snacks don’t prevent cavities. It’s important that your child visits their pediatric dentists regularly for preventative care to keep their teeth looking and feeling great. Children with poor oral health are up to three times more likely to miss school due to dental pain. Cavities in kids are more common than you think, too. Over 40% of kids have at least one cavity by the time they enter kindergarten.
Our professional and experienced pediatric dentists at Smilez Pediatric Dental Group have the knowledge and skill to provide great dental care for your child. We can help explain to your child how to properly take care of their teeth, and we can restore their teeth if they are any cavities. It’s recommended to make an appointment with your child’s pediatric dentists at least once every six months. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentists, give us a call today. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about our dental services.