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Packing a Smile: Healthy Lunchbox & Hygiene Tips for Kids

As a parent, you want your child to have the best start to their school day — and that includes more than just packing pencils and notebooks. The food and drinks you put in their lunchbox can make a big difference in their oral health. At Vacaville Dental Group, we know that healthy eating habits and proper dental hygiene go hand in hand in keeping your child’s smile bright, confident, and cavity-free.

1. Choose Smile-Friendly Lunchbox Foods

Sugary snacks and drinks may be convenient, but they can lead to plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum problems. Instead, pack your child’s lunch with foods that promote oral health and provide lasting energy for learning. Great options include:

Fresh fruits & veggies like apple slices, carrot sticks, cucumber rounds, and grapes.
Cheese & yogurt for calcium and enamel-strengthening benefits.
Whole-grain wraps or crackers for sustained energy.
Nuts & seeds for a healthy, filling crunch (if allowed at your child’s school).

Avoid sticky candies, chewy granola bars, and sugary juice boxes that can cling to teeth and feed harmful bacteria.

2. Keep Hydration Healthy

Water is your child’s best friend when it comes to both health and oral hygiene. It rinses away food particles, neutralizes acids, and keeps their mouth fresh. Encourage your child to bring a refillable water bottle to school instead of soda, sports drinks, or sweetened beverages. At Vacaville Dental Group, we recommend water or milk as the primary lunchbox drinks for strong, healthy teeth.

3. Add a Midday Dental Hygiene Boost

While your child can’t always brush during school hours, you can still help them protect their smile throughout the day. Include:

A small travel toothbrush and toothpaste in their backpack (if the school allows).
Sugar-free gum (approved by the ADA) to stimulate saliva flow and reduce plaque buildup.
A reminder to rinse their mouth with water after eating.

These little habits make a big difference in preventing cavities.

4. Make Lunch Fun and Interactive

Kids are more likely to eat healthy when it’s fun. Use colorful containers, sandwich cutters for creative shapes, or themed lunchbox notes with quick dental tips. For example, a note might read, “Remember to swish with water after lunch - your smile will thank you!”

At Vacaville Dental Group, we encourage parents to turn oral care into a positive, rewarding experience so children grow up valuing their dental health.

5. Reinforce the Home Routine

Even with a healthy lunchbox, home care is crucial. Ensure your child brushes twice a day for two minutes and flosses once daily. Replace toothbrushes every three to four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed.

Set Your Child Up for a Smile That Lasts

A thoughtful lunchbox and simple midday hygiene habits can go a long way in protecting your child’s teeth and gums throughout the school year. At Vacaville Dental Group, we’re here to support families with preventive care, personalized advice, and a friendly environment that makes dental visits stress-free for kids.

We love welcoming new patients and appreciate referrals from our valued patients!

Our friendly and experienced front office team is here to make your visit comfortable. As members of the Vacaville Town Dental, we take pride in providing quality general and cosmetic dental care to our neighbors.

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Louis Hupp

The staff at Vacaville Dental Group are genuinely friendly, caring, and professional. Most of them are, essentially, the same wonderful people that served under the previous dentistry. But, I was happy to discover that the dentist are also very friendly and professional. It was my first visit since the new ownership. I had initially considered canceling this appointment, but decided to give the new dentists a chance. I'm so glad I did! I'm now scheduled for my next visit and very much looking forward to it. If I could change one thing, it would be the name. I shared my thoughts about that with them. I believe it should be something more exciting and inviting and suggested Radiant Family Dentistry. Radiant, because that's the smile and feeling you leave with after visiting their office. Family, because that's how the staff there treat all their customers. Check them out and see if you don't feel the same way.

Kristin McCaffrey

Love my hygienists Jessica and Jennifer. Always welcoming, gentle, and kind.

Junior's Amazing Adventures

I had the most wonderful experience with Dental Hygienist Jessica. Everyone in this office is pretty amazing but Jessica has been my favorite Hygienist EVER in my life and I have seen many from all different Dental offices all over California. She is very thorough and I can see she has a passion in helping out her clients with love and care!!! Hands down Jessica is the epitome of what a great family Dental Hygienist should be.. Great job !! 🙌👏👏👏

dwellguy

Jennifer was outstanding as usual and the teeth cleaning was quite fast and effortless. Thanks so much!

Kid Ole

Jessica cleaned my teeth today and they look amazing! This is the best cleaning I’ve ever had! She is very professional and gentle. Thank you Jessica! Dr. Mathews is always positive and I’m so thankful for Vacaville Dentistry. All staff are helpful and friendly.

Kimulee F

I absolutely love my technician! She always gives me the best advice on how to take care of my teeth. My teeth and gums have never been healthier!

Teresita Ruiz

I’ve always had a phobia of certain aspects of dental visits, especially x-rays and cavity fillings, due to past traumatic experiences. X-rays used to make me feel like I was choking, and previous fillings left my bite feeling unnatural and painful.

Wendy Merryman

Wonderful and friendly practice! I can always count on it that my appointment will not be delayed. I’ve never been hounded about adding services that I’m not interested in.

Kathy R

Best dentist ever!! And their staff and hygienists are great too! I get nervous going to dentists but Dr Jackman is awesome you don't feel a thing!! Highly recommend !!!

Robin F

Wowi cannot be happieri went in prior appointment x-rays, cleaning and needed a cavity filled for at least a year but was afraid. Have seen 3 dentists in 4 years after mine retired. I love, yes love my dentist now.just had the cavity filled. NO PAIN. None! With injection or procedure! What? Yes even afterwards. No pain!. The Best filing I ever had!. Blew away my dentist of 30+ years!. Dr. Chao, you are the best & have the best staff A+++++++ service

Christina D

I'm a patient of Dr. Jackman and have to share my amazing experience with him and his office staff. The kindness every time I'm in. I had a very huge phobia with anxiety from previous experience. Now no anxiety ever. Crazy to think you look forward for a cleaning or other work done. Thank you Dr. Jackman and staff you all are amazing!

Nigel H

Always a great experience! I have always been afraid of the dentist, but I've been going here for years now, and I would recommend Dr. Jackman to anyone! He is so patient and calmly talks you through every procedure to help keep you at ease.

Daniele C

Excellent care. I have been coming to this establishment for 25 years & Dr. Jackman & his staff are always kind, courteous & professional. I'm deathly afraid of going to the dentist & they always make me feel comfortable & at ease.

Steven R

I feel very fortunate to be associated with Martin Jackman. I have traveled from Pleasanton to Vacaville for many years for dentistry needs because of his relaxing professional approach. All procedures are thoroughly explained prior and again nuanced during any possible findings. His office does not pressure patients into cosmetic procedures and Dr. Jackman has proven to be very honest with what is necessary. I cannot emphasize what a true pro he is so sit back in his chair and be prepared for a radiant smile when you are through.

S. S. T

So far so good! I'm about 1/2 done with the work I need. I've had a hard time finding a dentist I can trust since one back in my home state did fraudulent work. I'm feeling confident in Dr. Jackman that the work is needed and he's doing what he can to keep the procedures minimally invasive.

Christie Lynn D

Dr. Jackman is our family's Dentist Hero! He has come through so often, it still amazes us. I had an emergency with my dental health. He saw me immediately and took such great care of me. There were people waiting while me and another emergency took a LONG time. A person walked out and didn't seem too happy. I must say...I have never been the emergency before at a dental office...however, I am truly grateful for the extreme care that was taken...I am sorry that the person who left in a huff won't probably give Dr. Jackman another chance...that would be a true travesty for that person. All I can say, my friends, and my family...LOVE the excellence of Dr. Jackman and his crew. Just sayin...God bless and Happy 2016.

Vacaville Dental Group - Serving Vacaville & Surrounding Areas

Vacaville Dental Group is located in a modern, state-of-the-art facility at 501 Nut Tree Ct. B, Vacaville, CA 95687. We are proud to provide exceptional dental care to the communities of Vacaville, Fairfield, Dixon, Vallejo, and surrounding towns.

Call Us(707) 706-9469

Location

501 Nut Tree Ct, Ste B, Vacaville, CA 95687

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Saturday and Sunday - Closed

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