Back to School Lunchbox Fillers for Healthy Teeth

It's back to school time in Gardena! As a parent, you may be relieved to have the kids back in school, giving you more time for yourself and your spouse. However, the kids being away all day (away from your supervision) does bring with it some small challenges. 

For example, you won’t be able to monitor your child at school to make sure they are keeping their teeth clean.

However, you can help your child improve their oral health with some smart and healthy lunchbox fillers.

Why Back to School Can Be Problematic for Kids’ Teeth

When kids go back to school in the fall, they are put into an environment where they are at high risk of peer pressure. They may be exposed to foods you wouldn’t normally have at home, such as candies, sweets, and sugary soft drinks. 

Weirdly, many schools also have vending machines that dispense calorie filled sodas with sugar that can eat away at teeth. 

Even in the best environments, children and teens can be thoughtless, and they often mindlessly go along with the crowd. If their friends are passing around candy, they are not likely to say no.

What Can Parents Do to Encourage Healthy Habits at School? 

Since it would not be appropriate for you as the parents to follow your kid around school, you will need to encourage healthy oral habits at home. You can also set your child up for better success, by using their lunch box to encourage proper oral health care and dental hygiene.

How Can I Create a Tooth Friendly Lunch Box for My Child?

Ideally, you will pack the lunch for your child before they go to school. Of course, you should also encourage your child to pack their own lunch depending on their age. You can even add some dental hygiene products to the lunch box in addition to the typical sandwich and thermos.

What type of lunch box should parents get to support oral health?

Your child will likely have a preference as to the type of lunch box or bag they will bring to school. Often, kids go through phases in terms of what is considered cool or not. This year, maybe everybody is carrying an old-fashioned tin lunch box secured by a metal clasp. The next year, kids are brown bagging it or using reusable soft sided lunch bags with insulation.

The exterior of the lunch box doesn't matter so much as having some space inside for their oral health care and dental hygiene products.

What oral healthcare and dental hygiene products should I put in my child’s lunch box?

First, strive to feed your child food that is low in sugar and won’t aggravate or cause cavities. Therefore, the daily lunchbox sandwich should be made out of whole grain bread ideally, because all breads turn into sugars ultimately. Whole grains are healthier overall, and can also reduce the impact of sugar on the teeth.

Next, instead of putting a sugary drink in the thermos, you can include a sugar free drink – perhaps some Kool-Aid sweetened with stevia instead of a soft drink with high fructose corn syrup.

Third, include some items to help your child clean their teeth after lunch and snacks at school. At minimum, you can include a toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste. Better yet, include dental floss and or convenient gum picks that can be used to remove debris from the teeth

If your child has braces, include a small braces kit in their lunchbox or backpack. The kit should include some orthodontic wax, in case braces become dislodged and a wire pokes out.

You can also get disposable mini toothbrushes with toothpaste already on the brush. However, these are not recyclable and can be easily littered on the ground, so reusable items are better.

What type of container should dental products be placed in?

When you have gathered up the portable oral healthcare kit for your child, it’s best to place it in a reusable baggy or small makeup bag – something that will keep the dental equipment all in one place and separate from the food.

Get a bag that your child likes, perhaps emblazoned with their favorite cartoon character, so they will treat their portable oral healthcare kit like a treasure.

How Often Should My Children Brush Their Teeth?

We recommend brushing at least twice per day and flossing at least once per day. However, for kids prone to cavities, we think it’s a good idea to brush after each meal and floss as needed (i.e., when food is stuck in the teeth).

Teach your kids how to brush properly so they don’t press too hard and overbrush. Our dental hygienists in Gardena can show your child proper brushing and flossing technique at their next checkup.

How Else Can You Keep Your Children’s Teeth Healthy in Gardena?

The best way to keep your children’s teeth clean and healthy in Gardena is through proper dental hygiene. This includes daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to your Gardena dentist. At Gardena Dental Care, we will examine your child’s teeth, look for any misalignments, and work to prevent cavities and other issues. Through twice yearly professional dental cleanings, we can keep your kid’s smile looking fabulous.

Gardena Dental Care is an advanced family dental practice servicing families in Southern California. We want to help your kids have a healthy, amazing smile. Contact us today at (424) 295-7885 to schedule an appointment and a teeth cleaning.