Healthy School Lunch Ideas

It’s been simple to make sure your children are practicing good oral hygiene and eating healthy foods while they’ve been home over the summer. But when your kids are at school, it’s much harder to monitor. If your children eat lunch provided by their schools, there may be some unhealthy options. You’ll have more control over their diets by packing a lunch for them to take to school.

To help the parents of our little patients, we’ve put together a list of tooth-healthy foods to pack in your child’s lunch.

Healthy School Lunch Ideas

• Apples – Apples are great for teeth because they clean the teeth while being eaten! As they’re eaten, the fibrous texture of apples will scrub the teeth and gums, keeping them clean and fighting the buildup of plaque. Apples can also help promote fresh breath and are great for your child’s overall health as well.
• Cheese – Cheese contains a good amount of calcium, which is good for your child’s bones and for his or her teeth. Additionally, cheese contains a protein called casein, which is known for strengthening the tooth enamel and helping to prevent dental cavities. Sliced cheese or string cheese are both great school lunch options.
• Carrots – Carrots are high in both vitamin A and fiber. Eating carrots will help stimulate saliva production in your child’s mouth, which can help wash away bacteria and food debris. Packing some baby carrots in your child’s lunch is healthy for both her body and teeth!
• Yogurt – Like cheese, yogurt is also high in casein and calcium. However, yogurt also contains plenty of good bacteria. These healthy bacteria will help to fight the cavity-causing bacteria. We recommend low-fat Greek yogurt in your child’s lunch. Feel free to include some fresh fruit or a bit of granola to make it more kid-friendly!
• Water – Lastly, it’s a great idea to remind your child to rinse his or her mouth out with water after each meal to help loosen and wash away any leftover food debris or bacteria.

Here at Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry, it’s very important to us that all of our little patients have a healthy and happy school year! To make an appointment for your children to receive a regular dental cleaning and exam, please contact our Greensboro, North Carolina pediatric dental office today!