What is the best thing to pack for a school lunch? What should my child eat for lunch for healthy teeth? Here are some back-to-school lunch tips from dentists.
As parents and caregivers, one of our many roles is to ensure that our children are healthy and happy. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, especially during the back-to-school season, it’s easy to overlook one crucial aspect of our kids’ health: their oral hygiene.
Believe it or not, what goes into their lunchbox can significantly affect their dental health. So, let’s chat about some easy back-to-school lunch tips to promote good oral health.
Oral Health in Children
According to the latest statistics, over 40 per cent of Singapore children between the ages of 1 and 9 have cavities in their baby teeth that haven’t been treated. This is despite the fact that fluoride has already been added to our water since the 1950s.
In babies and toddlers, the possible culprit could be formula milk intake. But for school-aged children, the main cause of tooth decay is poor oral health habits and the high consumption of sugary snacks.
Understanding the Connection Between Food and Oral Health
Before diving into the lunchbox, it’s essential to understand why some foods are better for our teeth than others. Our mouth, particularly our teeth and gums, is impacted by what we eat.
Picture this – the average lunch of some dried fruit, a juice box and flavoured yoghurt can give more than twice the amount of sugar recommended for the whole day. We also know how sugar is hidden in our children’s staple foods. Foods high in sugar and acid can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
“The lasting impacts of daily sugar consumption are still causing high rates of tooth decay or gum disease over time. This can lead to more invasive dental treatments for children such as fillings and early extractions and also contribute to greater hospitalisations and chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes later down the track,” said Dr Dominic Aouad, President of the Australian Dental Association New South Wales (ADA NSW).
Teeth-Friendly Lunches: Dentist-Approved Tips for Kids’ Meals
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To combat the unwanted effects of tooth decay in school-aged kids, ADA NSW shared dentist-approved tips for making lunches that keep those little teeth in top-notch shape:
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Find a complete balance (a little bit of everything is the way to go)
Include something from each of the five food groups including fruit/vegetables/legumes/beans, dairy, grain (cereal) foods and lean meats poultry/fish/eggs.
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Opt for a healthier sugar alternative
Replace chips, chocolates, muesli bars, and sweet biscuits with items such as fresh fruit, celery and carrot sticks, and cucumbers.
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Resist the urge to pack a sugary snack.
Limit snacks that are high in sugar and/or saturated fats such as doughnuts or cookies
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Pick whole fruit over fruit juice
The vitamins, minerals and fibre in real fruit make it more filling and nutritious and reduce the sugar content per serve.
Pack water as your school drink rather than sports drinks, juice, soft drinks, cordials, or flavoured milk which are high in sugar.
Look for grain-based snacks with whole grains and high fibre, such as wholegrain bread and crackers. Processed snack products such as muesli and breakfast bars, chips, and cookies should be limited to one item and ideally a low-sugar choice, such as rice crackers, popcorn and cheese.
Creating teeth-friendly lunches for your kids doesn’t have to be rocket science. With a few simple swaps and choices, you can make meals that not only taste good but also keep those smiles sparkling.
Of course, do not forget to teach your child the importance of good oral habits like brushing their teeth and flossing. And don’t forget to bring them to their regular dentist appointment.
“Regular brushing, and for older kids, flossing as well as annual oral health check-ups with a dentist are also key to setting kids up for a lifetime of good dental care,” reminds Dr Aouad.
Image Source: iStock
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.
