You can’t always watch over your children while they’re at school. Unfortunately, that means they could get into mischief, mayhem, and other antics. However, you can help them eat mouth-healthy foods during the school day — especially when it comes to lunch. That said, here’s a summary of how different school lunches affect your child’s oral health.
How Do School Lunches Affect Oral Health?
Some lunches can have harmful effects on your child’s teeth. When high-sugar foods and drinks combine with mouth bacteria, they produce acid that can erode tooth enamel and increase the risk of cavities. For example, look at these example cafeteria and sack lunch items.
Cafeteria Lunch
Families with busy schedules often rely on school-provided cafeteria lunches for their kids. Many also hope that these meals promote physical health. Even so, you’d be wise to look more closely at school cafeteria staples, including:
- Chocolate Milk: Though a popular school beverage, chocolate milk has more sugar than the plain alternative.It might pass as healthy in some cases, but kids should only have it in moderation to prevent dental problems.
- Canned Fruit: While the “fruit” part can sound good, this product usually has excess natural sugars and acids. Tell your children to try the fresh kind instead.
Sack Lunch
A sack lunch can give you more control over your child’s diet. Still, some popular foods used for them aren’t ideal for young teeth:
- Juice Boxes and Pouches: These drinks are often sugary and cling to teeth for hours, hurting tooth enamel. It’d be better to give your child a refillable water bottle.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich: While some “PB & J” is okay, pay close attention to the bread, jam, and nut butter you use for it. Some brands are more sugary than others, leading to tooth decay when they cling to the mouth’s back areas.
Tips for a Mouth-Healthy Lunch
Next time you pack a lunch for your kids, there are some tips you should keep in mind.
First, pack healthy foods that meet their nutritional needs. Fresh fruits and vegetables, deli meats, whole grains, and calcium-fortified dairy products are ideal. Have them drink water instead of juice to wash out leftover food particles.
You could also pack a kid-friendly oral hygiene travel kit. If you do, include a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss so they can clean their teeth after lunch.
You wouldn’t want your children eating junk for an important meal, right? Remember the knowledge and tips above so you can give them food for healthy smiles!
About the Practice
Dr. Donna Barefield is a dentist based in Duncanville, TX. Over her forty years of experience, she’s maintained a solid commitment to high-quality, compassionate care for her dental patients. Her services include preventive, restorative, and emergency dentistry. Whether she’s working with infants, toddlers, children, or teens, she’ll help their smiles shine. Dr. Barefield currently practices at Barefield Pediatric Dentistry and can be reached at her website or by phone at (972)-298-7560.