It may be tempting to pack sugary puddings, snack cakes, and acidic fruit juices with a sandwich when it comes to school lunches. However, dentists everywhere, including your child’s dentist in High Point, NC, would love to see more tooth-friendly options in your child’s lunch.
Tips for Packing a Healthier Lunch for Your Child
Lunch is an important meal for school-aged children. The right foods not only contribute to their energy level—low energy may impact their ability to learn and stay alert later in the day—but proper nutrition also contributes to better overall wellness and a healthier smile.
When substituting unhealthy lunch options with healthier choices, it’s also important to consider foods that your child will actually eat. For example, try healthy, low-fat yogurt in place of pudding or custard. Yogurt comes in a variety of delicious flavors, typically contains less sugar than pudding or custard, and it is calcium-rich. According to Colgate, calcium is one of the essential ingredients for a healthy smile.
Instead of sugary or acid-rich fruit juice, consider milk or a water bottle.
Other healthy choices include:
- Soups kept warm in a thermos
- Cut up veggies
- Strawberries
- Nuts and seeds
- Cheese or cheese sandwiches
If your child does indulge in unhealthy choices during the school day—candy, cakes, sodas—consider adding an extra toothbrushing session to their routine, preferably as soon as they arrive home from school.
Regular Checkups and Teeth Cleanings Are Still Crucial
Even if you provide your child healthy snacks and lunches, they must visit the dentist regularly for exams and teeth cleanings (the latter when age-appropriate).
And it would be best if you also supervised your child’s brushing until they demonstrate good habits and a proper brushing technique. A member of our dental team can help with the transition to independent brushing.
Contact Your Child’s Dentist Near Me
For children’s dentistry in High Point, NC, contact a helpful dental team member today.