There are many things you can do as a parent to help your child smile in a healthy way. A lunch that is good for their teeth is something you can pack or plan for them. Here are some ideas for a healthy lunch that will make your child smile.
Stay away from sugary drinks, even ones that say they are “healthy.”
Kids who are given sweet drinks to sip on for long amounts of time are exposed to more sugar and acid, which can wear away their enamel. To improve their mouth health, try to cut down on or get rid of sports drinks, beers, and juices with a lot of sugar. Kids get a lot of sugar from drinks, and some of them can even be masked as “healthy drinks,” like juice, sports drinks, or vitamin water. Read the diet facts on drinks to learn more, and teach your kids as well.
Bring water
As you drink water, acids and food particles that are bad for your teeth are washed away. Water also keeps your saliva moving, which cleans your teeth naturally. If you want to keep your child’s teeth healthy, you should pack water in their lunch instead of any other drink. Also, don’t believe the hype about health drinks. Most of these “enhanced” water drinks are bad for your teeth and health because they have too much sugar.
Be careful when getting snacks in packages
It’s not always true that “healthy” snacks are the best for your teeth. Some foods, like granola, dried fruit, and trail mix, may look like they are better for you, but they often have things that aren’t healthy at all. Actually, granola and dried fruit can both be very high in sugar. Dried fruit can stick to teeth and feed the bacteria that cause cavities. When you buy granola or health cereal, stay away from kinds that have candy, marshmallows, or chocolate pieces in them. You should look for granola that has more natural whole foods, like nuts and rolled oats, and a higher fiber level. If your child does eat snacks with, make sure they brush their teeth afterward.
Eat more vegetables and fruits in their whole form
Add whole, natural fruits and veggies to your child’s lunch as often as you can. Cut up some celery or baby carrots and pack them with a healthy dip like hummus instead of bread or other snacks that are high in carbs. As a dessert, don’t bring fake fruit snacks. Instead, bring fresh, dense fruit like apples, cherries, or kiwis. Fiber cleans teeth naturally by washing away bits of food that are still on them after a meal. You can help your child avoid too much sugar and keep their teeth clean while they’re away from home by giving them dense fruits and veggies instead of sweets and starches.
Use nuts instead of chips
Things like crackers, potato chips, and other fatty foods can get stuck on the sides of your teeth. If you don’t brush your teeth properly, these things give sugar to germs that eat it, which ruins your teeth. Pack nuts instead of chips. They are high in fiber and protein and are good for you.
What you eat affects your teeth
What your child eats has an effect on their teeth and mouth health as a whole. It’s not necessary to cut out whole food groups from your child’s diet, but making some small healthy changes can help. The best way to take care of your child’s teeth is to brush, floss, and go to the dentist regularly, no matter what they eat for lunch. Come to our office to learn more about mouth-healthy meals and how the food you and your family eat can affect your smile’s health and appearance.