How to Pack the Best Lunch for Your Child’s Teeth

Now that school is back in session, it’s time to start packing those lunches. It’s crucial to pack foods that you know are healthy for your kid. However, a lot of foods that market themselves as healthy can actually be detrimental to their little teeth. Many of them are full of so much sugar that your little one might end up needing fillings from their children’s dentist. How can you know which foods to pack and which to avoid? Fortunately, we’ve put together this handy guide below.  

“Healthy” Foods That Can Wreak Havoc on Your Child’s Teeth

Here are some examples of foods that advertise themselves as healthy, when in reality they are anything but:

• Smoothies. While they have the potential to be healthy, it’s all too easy to fill them with fruits that are way too high in sugar, leading to an increased risk of cavities.
• Trail mix. Watch out for trail mix that comes with pieces of candy or chocolate, as that can add unhealthy amounts of fat and sugar to your child’s lunch.
• Dried fruit. This is a common ingredient in trail mix. Dried fruit contains much more sugar than their natural counterparts.
• Granola. Granola typically has a lot more sugar and fat than it advertises, especially if it comes with chocolate chips. Choose the granola option with the lowest amount of sugar and highest amount of fiber to get the most health benefits.  
• Sports drinks. They market themselves as a great way to refuel after a sports practice or game, but they’re chock full of way too much sugar to be considered remotely healthy. Have your son or daughter hydrate with water instead.

Pack These Actually Mouth-Healthy Foods Instead

To make sure your kid’s teeth remain healthy, pack these foods instead:

• Water. Water is the best way to stay hydrated. If they can’t brush their teeth at school, tell them to swish some water around in their mouth after lunch to wash away food debris and bacteria that could cause decay.
• Cheese. Cheese is high in calcium, which can strengthen teeth, and casein, a protein that fights cavities.
• Yogurt. Yogurt contains good bacteria that help combat the bad bacteria that cause decay and gum disease.
• Raw veggies. Vegetables like celery and carrots actually clean your child’s teeth as they are being eaten, making them a great alternative to starchy and sugary snacks that cause plaque buildup.
• Apples. This fruit is relatively low in sugar, and the fibrous skin helps fight plaque accumulation. It can even help remove surface stains from the teeth, so it’s best to finish the meal with an apple.

Now that you know which foods are actually mouth-healthy, you have a better idea of what to pack in your child’s lunch to keep their mouth fresh and cavity-free!

About the Author

Dr. Ukti Phadnis is a family dentist who enjoys getting to know and treat patients of all ages. She earned her degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. She loves keeping up with the latest advancements in dentistry to keep her patients’ treatment fast, effective, and painless. To learn more about which foods are healthy for your teeth and gums, contact Dr. Phadnis on her website or at 860-969-2281.