Children will soon be returning to school, and that means many parents will be packing lunches for hungry kids to enjoy in the middle of the day. Unfortunately, many popular items that are frequently packed in school lunches can be harmful to a child’s developing smile. Here’s a quick look at a few lunch items that should be saved for special occasions as well as a few options that will keep your child full and their teeth healthy.
What School Lunch Items Can Cause Tooth Decay?
A few items that should be packed in school lunches infrequently if at all include:
- Soda pop: Syrupy carbonated beverages are high in sugars that can feed harmful oral bacteria and acids that can erode enamel. To make matters worse, they are quite sticky, which can prolong their harmful effects on teeth.
- Juice: Unfortunately, juice is about as sugary and acidic as soda, so it’s best to avoid packing it.
- Fruit snacks: These products are basically candy and are sticky enough to remain attached to the teeth a long time after being chewed, which can feed harmful oral bacteria and cause dental stains.
- Starchy snacks: The dense carbohydrates found in products like crackers and corn and potato chips will break down into simple sugars that can feed harmful oral bacteria after being eaten.
What Should I Pack in My Child’s Lunch?
Thankfully, many tasty items can be excellent additions to your child’s lunch. These include:
- Water: Water is non-acidic and free from sugars and stain-causing pigments and dyes. It also keeps the body hydrated and helps the mouth clean itself, so it is without question the single most excellent beverage for your child’s oral health.
- Raw plant matter: Firm and snappy fruits and veggies like apples, celery, and carrots are tough enough to scrape harmful plaque away from teeth and gentle enough to do so without scratching the enamel.
- Firm cheeses and whole grain bread: These items can provide protein, minerals, and complex carbohydrates that will help keep the body healthy, and they can also help rub plaque and food residue away from the teeth.
Don’t let sugary snacks sabotage your child’s oral health. Consulting with your pediatric dentist will help you understand how to keep your kid’s smile beautiful and healthy for life.
About the Practice
G&G Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics offers the most excellent children’s oral healthcare in Naperville. Led by Drs. Rachel, Cory, Nicole, Hanna, and Xu, the staff treats each patient with compassion and respect. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, and emergency dentistry as well as orthodontics for kids. To learn more about preventing cavities, contact the office online or dial (630) 778-9500.
