Healthy Back-to-School Lunches in Downey

Summer is winding down and that means it is time for the kids to head back to school. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of buying supplies, getting new clothes to replace the ones they outgrew over the summer, and trying to make sense of school schedules that seem to get more complex every year, the thought that it is also time to think about school lunches again might slip your mind.

Well, we here at Downey Dental Arts have thought about it, and we put together this short guide to helping you pack healthy lunches for your kids to keep their smiles strong as they head back to school this year.

What Do School Lunches Have to Do With Dental Health?

The food we eat has a dramatic effect on our dental health. This is true for every meal and snack but is even more the case when we are unable to brush for several hours following a meal. Since most school kids do not brush during the day, what they eat for lunch and snacks at school has an outsize impact on their dental health.

Naturally, healthy foods are better and junk food has a detrimental effect. It is not as easy as sugar/no sugar foods, however, so read on to find out what foods are best.

What Kind of Foods Should I Put in My Child’s Lunch?

Low-sugar foods are obviously preferred, but you can choose other foods to help promote dental health. Milk, yogurt, and other dairy products provide calcium and other nutrients to help support dental health. Nuts are a good choice if the school allows them. Meat and fatty fish are always good.

When it comes to fruits and vegetables, low-sugar fruits such as apples, berries, and pears are preferred. Any raw, crunchy vegetables are good, both because they contain lots of nutrients and because they promote the production of saliva that cleans food residue off your teeth. In essence, they act as natural teeth cleaners. 

Vegetables in this category include carrots, celery, and jicama. Hummus is a great dip for vegetables. Leafy greens contain good amounts of the nutrients needed for healthy teeth, such as folic acid. Naturally, the best drinks to include in your child’s lunch box are water and milk.

What Kind of Foods Should I Avoid Putting in My Child’s Lunch?

All foods that contain added sugar or large amounts of natural sugars should be avoided. This includes drinks such as 100% fruit juice. Sticky and chewy foods should also be avoided because they stick to the teeth and can lead to plaque and tarter. 

Starchy foods can also have a detrimental effect. Potato chips and other similar foods may not contain any added sugar, but when the starch combines with bacteria in your child’s mouth the result is an acid that can eat away at tooth enamel. Popcorn and seeds can stick in your child’s teeth and cause issues. 

What Types of Snacks Are Good for School?

The same types of foods you pack in your child's lunchbox are also good for snacks. Cheese and crackers, unsweetened yogurt with fruit, and hummus with vegetables or crackers are good ideas. Crackers or bread with peanut butter is another good idea.

Nuts and most fresh fruits are great ideas. Avoid dried fruits and most trail mixes due to the added sugar.

We also recommend avoiding most prepackaged snacks, as they tend to be high in sugar or starch and sometimes both! They also tend to be lacking in nutrients. Avoid sticky, chewy, and overly hard snacks so that they will not get stuck in your child’s teeth.

Generally, unless it comes from one of the newer healthy vending machines, avoid anything that you would find in a vending machine. Avoiding snack foods that cause dental issues will keep you from spending more time than necessary visiting our Downey office!

Should My Child Brush After Eating Lunch at School?

In an ideal world, yes, your child would brush after every meal and snack. That is the best way for both adults and children to maintain optimum oral health. We do not live in an ideal world, however, and most people -especially most school children -do not have the time or inclination to brush after lunch. 

Children also have to deal with peer pressure and a desire to fit in with their peers, which makes them even less likely to brush at school. If you can get them to brush after lunch, that would be great, but it is understandable if you cannot.

What Should I Do if My Child Has a Dental Emergency at School?

Do not panic if you get a call from your child’s school about an emergency dental problem. Most of these do not qualify as true emergencies -that is, they are problems that need to be corrected, but do not necessitate leaving school or rushing to the dentist.

Problems in this category generally include losing a cap or a tooth, scratching the inside of their jaw or gums, and losing a retainer. Genuine emergencies include such things as blows to the face, having a tooth knocked out, and breaking braces in a way that causes or could cause injury.

If you get a call from the nurse at school about a dental emergency, get as many details as possible to help you ascertain the nature of the problem. If you are not sure or need help determining what to do, call our Downey office and we will be glad to assist you. We try to keep emergency appointments available daily to help with situations that require a dentist’s immediate assistance.

Do You Want a Healthier Smile?

Come see us at Downey Dental Arts! We help our patients here in the Downey area achieve their best smiles. We can take care of your entire family from the youngest to the eldest. Our modern, innovative office features the latest advances in dental procedures and technology. We even offer flexible appointment times to help you fit your dental visit into your busy schedule.

Call (562) 445-3363 today and make an appointment with Downey Dental Arts!