With your kids back at school, you may be wondering how their teeth brushing habits will hold up when things get more hectic. We know that busy schedules can make it difficult to stay on top of your oral health routine during the school year.
Luckily, brushing and flossing aren’t the only ways to keep teeth healthy. Taking care of your teeth starts with the food you eat. And packing the right lunch foods makes it easy for your kids to practice good dental hygiene all day long!
Here is a list of foods that your kids can eat at school to keep their teeth healthy this school year.
Cheese is full of calcium and phosphate, which help to re-mineralize your teeth, or strengthen tooth enamel. It also stimulates saliva production, which helps to prevent tooth decay by washing away leftover food particles.
Celery also enhances saliva production. It breaks down into fibrous strands that rub against teeth and clean them naturally.
Apples and pears also encourage salivation to wash teeth. These fruits have a high water content so they can neutralize the dissolving effect that acidic foods have on your enamel.
Crunchy vegetables like carrots are great for protecting your teeth against cavities. Chewing on crunchy foods increases your chances of disturbing and dislodging food debris to stop the formation of bacteria.
Citrus fruits, although they get a bad rap for weakening tooth enamel with their acidity, can actually be very beneficial to teeth if eaten in moderation. They contain high levels of Vitamin C, which strengthens gums and connective tissue to prevent gum disease. They also combat tooth discoloration caused by staining agents.
Nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts are chock-full of Vitamin D, which is essential to calcium and phosphate absorption. It also boosts the immune system to help fight bacteria from the mouth. (Be sure to consult with your school to ensure peanut butter and tree nuts are permitted)
Raisins are full of micronutrients that prevent bacteria from bonding to the teeth and hardening to form plaque.
Filling your children’s lunch boxes with healthy food options is a great way to make sure that their teeth are getting cleaned all day long. Stock up on these superfoods so the beginning of the school year isn’t the end of good oral hygiene!
When is the last time your children came into our office? If it’s been more than six months, call us today to schedule their next appointment. Together we’ll keep their teeth happy and healthy year-round.
