Sending the kids back to school means it's time to start packing those lunch boxes! What your children eat and drink can have a big effect on their oral health. So it's important to know what the best choices are… and what to avoid. Here are some tips for sending your kids off with a tooth-healthy school lunch every day.
Tip 1: Avoid Sugary Drinks
The scientific evidence is overwhelming that sugar is the most important dietary factor in causing tooth decay, and soft drinks are the largest source of sugar in many kids' diets. Even natural fruit juices have unhealthy amounts of sugar. So when it comes to beverages, keep it simple: H₂0 is the way to go!
Tip 2: Get Creative With Shapes & Flavors
Healthy food that's low in sugar doesn't have to be boring! You can use cookie-cutters to shape calcium-rich cheese and whole-grain bread into flowers, stars — even dinosaurs. Unbuttered popcorn can be flavor-boosted with a dash of cinnamon or parmesan cheese. There are all kinds of ways to get creative.
Tip 3: Sweeten The Deal With Fruits & Veggies
While fruits and vegetables do have some sugar, they are a good choice for a healthy smile — and a healthy body. That's because they also contain plenty of water and fiber, which slows the body's absorption of the sugar… and even helps clean the teeth! Kids enjoy the naturally sweet taste of bite-sized fruits and vegetables like cherry tomatoes, baby carrots and seedless grapes. And the cheerful, bright colors of these nutritious little nuggets make them even harder to resist!
Of course, even with a healthy diet, your kids still need to practice good oral hygiene at home, and have regular professional cleanings at the dental office. If you have any questions about nutrition or oral hygiene, contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. And have a happy, healthy — and delicious — return to school!
Comments:
Find Us
Carmela LaFalce, DMD
Dentist - Toms River
616 Washington St
Toms River, NJ 08753
Request Appointment
Our office has flexible hours to fit your busy schedule
Patient Eductation
Archive:
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
Tags
- celebrity smiles (50)
- chipped teeth (1)
- pediatric dentistry (9)
- age one dental visit (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- eating disorders (1)
- oral health (15)
- dental anxiety (1)
- gum disease (10)
- Teeth Whitening (6)
- dental emergency (1)
- dental injury (6)
- oral hygiene (19)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- veneers (9)
- wisdom teeth (4)
- crowns (3)
- orthodontic treatment (18)
- retainers (4)
- cosmetic dentistry (14)
- dental implants (10)
- braces (7)
- mouthguard (1)
- smoking (1)
- fluoride (2)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- orthodontics (4)
- root canal treatment (4)
- palatal expander (2)
- pain management (1)
- porcelain veneers (4)
- mouth sores (1)
- dental crowns (2)
- cerec (2)
- restorative dentistry (2)
- teeth grinding (1)
- cancer (1)
- Preventive Dentistry (1)
- periodontal disease (1)
- tooth decay (5)
- thumb sucking (2)
- oral cancer (3)
- space maintainer (1)
- nutrition (3)
- loose teeth (1)
- mouthguards (3)
- wedding day smile (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- baby teeth (1)
- dentures (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- clear aligners (1)
- Root Canal (1)
- gum recession (2)
- tmj disorders (3)
- missing teeth (1)
- partial denture (1)
- bone grafting (2)
- Damaged Teeth (1)
- crown (1)
- bad breath (1)
- canker sores (1)
- toothache (1)
- tooth pain (1)
- gummy smile (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- pregnancy (1)
- floss (1)
- chipped tooth (1)
- tooth replacement (1)
- jaw pain (2)
- lingual braces (1)
- Veneer (1)
- gerd (1)
- cleft lip (1)
- cleft palate (1)
- oral surgery (1)
- Implant (1)
- Restoration (1)
- smile makeover (1)
- tooth extraction (1)
- cosmetic gum surgery (1)
- dental implant (2)
- Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments (1)
- Services (1)
- dental injuries (1)
