It’s that time of year again when summer comes to a close and kids are back in the classroom. Send them to school with a healthy smile with these tasty foods.

Fruit

Fruits are easy to pack and full of vitamins and fiber. Remember to choose real fruit instead of fruit leathers or fruit gummies, as these treats stick in the pits of the teeth and cause cavities.

Veggies

Most veggies are readily portable with very little prep needed. Their crunch helps clean teeth, so try some carrots or celery sticks with hummus to dip in.

Cheese

Small amounts of cheese are a wonderful addition to a healthy lunch. Cheese has a very interesting benefit: It neutralizes the pH in the mouth, making it a not-very-attractive environment for the bacteria that causes cavities. Pre-packaged cheese strings are quick and easy and come in the perfect size.

Bonus: Water

Try to stick with just water to drink. Kids love the reusable water bottles (and there’s no waste). With water, kids aren’t drinking their calories and aren’t adding unnecessary sugars to their diet. Water also rinses the mouth and teeth and stimulates salivary production, which reduces your child’s cavity risk.

Kids love helping with school lunch prep—get them involved in planning what they’d like, and they should gobble up every bite at school.

Schedule a Visit to the Dentist

Get your child back-to-school with a smile they’ll want to share with all their friends. Schedule an appointment today.