As we edge towards the last few weeks of summer, many parents will begin thinking about getting their children ready to go back to school and this may mean planning packed lunches. So what are some healthy snacks options to put in their lunchbox?
Planning Healthy Snacks
It can be tricky trying to plan healthy snacks that are good healthy snacks for dental health but which will still be interesting and fun for children to eat, but fruits and dairy products can be a great choice, as well as crunchy veggies and yoghurt based dips.
Fresh fruit can help satisfy cravings for something sweet at the end of a meal, without being too damaging for their teeth. It is definitely better to pack whole fresh fruit rather than fruit juice which tends to be high is sugars and which is more likely to cause cavities.
Hard cheese or string cheese and low sugar yoghurts are good choices for oral health as both contain plenty of calcium and protein needed to build health teeth, bones and gums. A carton of milk makes a great drink for the same reasons. Packing crunchy vegetables such as carrots and fresh peppers combined with a tasty dip or humus will help keep things a bit more interesting as a healthy snacks.
Foods that Aren’t So Great for a Lunch Bag
Whenever possible, try to avoid packing foods that are very sticky or sugary. Foods such as granola bars or cereal bars might seem as healthy snacks but can be very sticky and high in sugars. This means they have a tendency to stick to teeth for long periods of time, and while your kid is at school they are less likely to clean their teeth shortly after eating a meal. The same thing goes for dried fruit which tends to be sticky and high in sugars. Cookies or sugary beverages are best kept as a very occasional treat, preferably given at home where you have greater control over their tooth brushing habits. Alternatively pick items that are marked as being low sugar.
Good Oral Hygiene at Home
Getting ready for school in the mornings can seem a bit more chaotic and it might be difficult to check your child has cleaned their teeth before setting off for the day. Making sure they are in a regular routine before the new school year starts up will make it more likely that they will stick to this schedule. The same goes for ensuring they brush before bedtime as this is especially vital. This is because the mouth is drier overnight because we produce less saliva and drier conditions are perfect for disease causing bacteria to thrive. Ensuring they have a clean mouth before they go to sleep will reduce their risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
Don’t Forget Regular Dental Checkups
If your child is about due for a dental checkup, why not book an appointment for them before they start their new school term? Dr. Dmitry Stillman or any of our pediatric dentists will ensure they have a healthy mouth and can treat any problems before they start back at school, and at a time when it can be much easier to fit in appointments.
