As a parent, it’s your job to teach your child about the importance of good oral hygiene. In addition to emphasizing brushing, flossing, and regular visits to the dentist, show them how to make the right food choices. What your child puts in their mouth can make a big difference in the appearance of their smile. To ensure they eat healthy, even at school, here are a few lunch ideas to keep in mind.

What Foods Benefit Your Child’s Teeth?

1. Milk

Instead of putting juice in your child’s lunchbox, pack a small carton of milk. Milk is a fantastic source of calcium and can help keep your child’s teeth strong. It also neutralizes the acids produced by other foods, lowering your child’s risk of tooth decay and reducing unexpected trips to the dentist.

2. Carrots

Carrots don’t just keep your child’s eyes healthy, but they also protect their teeth. They have a very crunchy texture, which requires a lot of chewing. The more chewing your child does, the more plaque they can scrub off their teeth. This action also generates more saliva, which helps wash away decay-causing bacteria. 

3. Nuts

Nuts are another dentist-approved snack your child will love. Cashews and almonds are packed with calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus, which keep teeth strong and healthy. Walnuts are high in fiber, folic acid, and magnesium, which are all beneficial for healthy teeth and gum tissue.

4. Apples

To satisfy your child’s sweet tooth, pack an apple in their lunch box. Just like carrots, apples are fibrous and will require your child to chew, scrubbing away plaque and other food debris. Additionally, the acidity in apples helps kill harmful bacteria that cause bad breath.

Encouraging your child to eat healthy snacks is just one step to ensuring they smile brightly. If you’re looking for a dentist for the entire family, turn to Helmbrecht Dental in Fairbanks, AK. They offer a wide range of restorative, general, and cosmetic dentistry services for patients of all ages, including fillings, root canals, and teeth whitening. The staff members take part in continuous training to ensure they offer quality treatments, and they aim to establish life-long relationships with their patients. For more information on their services, visit the website or call (907) 456-1237 to schedule an appointment today. For more tooth-friendly snack ideas, like them on Facebook.