While many elements of your child’s formal schooling may be different this year, one may remain the same: their lunch. Whether kids are home-schooled or heading back to the classroom, packing healthy foods gives them the energy they need to enjoy their day. Here are three tooth-healthy foods dentists recommend including in lunch boxes.

Snacks That Improve Dental Health

1. Veggie Sticks

Fibrous vegetables like celery sticks, carrots, jicama, broccoli, and sweet potatoes are firm enough to scrub away oral bacteria as your child chews. As an added bonus, they’re packed full of nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. 

Send pre-sliced veggie sticks along with a side of ranch, sour cream, or hummus. Your little one will enjoy the side dish while cleaning their smile. 

2. Apples 

Dentists recommend apples for school lunches since they’re easy to throw into a lunch box and highly beneficial for teeth. While apples aren’t fibrous enough to remove much oral bacteria, they do work some chemistry magic, raising the pH of the saliva for several hours.

This change is powerful enough that it mimics tooth brushing, preventing the growth of bacteria temporarily. Consider including a whole apple or several slices in your child’s lunch for a sweet treat that helps ward off tooth decay. 

3. Cheese  

Whether your little one loves string cheese or enjoys a few extra slices on a sandwich, including cheese can give them a boost of calcium while also crowding out oral bacteria.

Cheese has also been shown to increase salivary levels, which aids in rinsing away other particulates. Introduce your child to new cheeses like Parmesan cubes and Colby slices to prevent boredom from day to day.

If you‘re concerned about your child’s dental health and want to make some positive changes, turn to Elm Dental Care in Saint Charles, MO. With a focus on making the dental care experience fun and stress-free, it’s no wonder parents throughout the greater New Town area trust this dentist with their little ones. As an added bonus, the practice offers treatment for teens, adults, and seniors, making it easy to keep every smile in your family healthy and beautiful. Learn more about the services they offer by visiting their website or give their office a call at (636) 916-4848.