From sickeningly-sweet lunch boxes to brownies and other snack products that scale ever-high in their sugar content, lunch has the opportunity to either instill a midday sugar-high in your child or a second-wind of nutritious energy.
The difference, of course, is all in what you pack into their lunchbox. And while we’re confident that you know your food pyramid from top-to-bottom, to what degree do you know how each type of food can impact your child’s dental health?
Counting on Calcium
Adding a healthy dose of calcium to a meal is always a smart (and tasty) move when packing your child’s lunch, as calcium is essential in strengthening your child’s teeth, as well as their jaw bone. In particular, ingesting enough calcium while their teeth are still coming in is critical in ensuring their adult teeth are hard, healthy, and strong from the get-go.
That’s why we suggest you opt to include some of the following while you pull out the sandwich baggies:
- Yogurt
- Milk
- Fortified food products
- Cheese
- Dark, leafy greens
Involving Vitamin C
While we may stop to think about the foods that benefit our teeth, but what about our gums and other soft mouth tissues? That’s where Vitamin C comes in. When sensitive or bleeding gums become a regular source of discomfort for your child despite healthy oral hygiene, a Vitamin C deficiency may be the culprit.
We recommend you try these sweet and tasty lunchbox treats:
- Oranges
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Green/Red bell peppers
- Tomatoes
Wash It All Away With Water
Hydration, hydration, hydration is all but impossible to forget about, particularly as school returns in the midst of an August heatwave. But what if we told you packing water in your child’s lunch isn’t just about keeping them hydrated?
Water isn’t just good for balancing out a meal, it’s also ideal for washing away the remainder of sticky sugar or other food remnants that can wear away your child’s teeth if left too long, thereby weakening their enamel or paving the way for cavities. That’s why finishing a meal with a healthy swig of clean water keeps your child’s smile healthy and clean.
If you have further questions about how best to tailor your child’s diet to their teeth, or if you’re ready to bring your child to an award-winning team of board-certified pediatric dentists, then it’s time to reach out to Setzer, Cochran, and Soares Pediatric Dentistry!
We offer a warm welcome and look forward to helping your child achieve a beautiful smile. Call us today at (904) 733-7254 to schedule your appointment!