{"id":380,"date":"2021-07-06T19:18:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T19:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.midlandkidsdentist.com\/blog\/?p=380"},"modified":"2021-08-05T19:20:47","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T19:20:47","slug":"how-different-school-lunches-affect-childs-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.midlandkidsdentist.com\/blog\/how-different-school-lunches-affect-childs-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does School Lunch Affect Your Child\u2019s Oral Health?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"children<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

With summer slowly coming to an end, the back-to-school preparations are starting to take place. You may think you have your bases covered with new school supplies, backpacks, and clothes for the school year \u2013 but what about lunch? It might be the last thing on your mind since their cafeteria offers food, but your child\u2019s choices can leave a lasting mark on their smile. Here\u2019s how different school lunches can affect your little one\u2019s oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Does Lunch Affect Oral Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that sugar is one of the main culprits behind cavities. Any time your child eats sugary or starchy food, it combines with the bacteria in their mouth to produce a harmful acid that wears away enamel. This process can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and even dental disease. If your little one is consistently eating a sugar-filled lunch, it can wreak havoc on their teeth. While you can\u2019t monitor their meals in a school cafeteria, you can encourage them to make healthy choices by educating them on the importance of good oral health<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Lunches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Different school lunches can affect your child\u2019s smile in different ways. Here\u2019s a closer look at what\u2019s commonly found on a cafeteria tray and in the lunchbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

School Lunches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

School lunch is convenient for families with busy schedules. If you don\u2019t have time to pack a lunch bag for your little one, it\u2019s helpful knowing that they can purchase something from the vending machine or cafeteria. Unfortunately, your child\u2019s decisions can make or break their oral health. Many of the snacks found in vending machines contain unhealthy amounts of sugar. And sadly, some of the options in a cafeteria are no different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chocolate milk is one of the most popular and most widely consumed items found in school cafeterias. While it\u2019s technically \u201chealthy\u201d since it contains the same basic nutrients as plain milk, it has significantly more added sugar. Canned fruit is another item that seems like a good option but contains excess sugars and acids that can damage the tooth\u2019s enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bagged Lunches from Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Packing your child\u2019s lunch gives you a bit more control over their diet. However, be cautious about popular foods commonly found in homemade lunches (i.e., juice boxes and PB&J sandwiches). Take a close look at the ingredients list for each item and watch out for added sugars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When preparing your child\u2019s lunch, keep their teeth safe by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n