{"id":116,"date":"2022-08-04T16:58:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T16:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.southwindsordental.com\/blog\/?p=116"},"modified":"2022-09-21T17:02:07","modified_gmt":"2022-09-21T17:02:07","slug":"how-school-lunches-affect-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.southwindsordental.com\/blog\/2022\/08\/04\/how-school-lunches-affect-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"How Your Child\u2019s School Lunch Affects Their Oral Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Back-to-school season is now in full swing, and you\u2019ve probably got a lot of things on your mind as you get your little one prepared for the new school year. One thing you shouldn\u2019t disregard is your child\u2019s smile\u2014you certainly want their teeth looking as healthy and white as possible for their yearbook photo! But did you know that what they eat throughout the day plays a large part in their overall oral health? Here are a few suggestions from your dentist<\/a> for keeping your child\u2019s smile bright by providing healthy options for their school lunches in South Windsor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Does My Child\u2019s Lunch Affect Their Oral Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To put it simply, everything that your child eats throughout the day influences their oral health, but especially their lunch! The leftover particles from the food they eat for lunch will remain stuck to their teeth until their evening dental care routine. This means that foods high in sugars and starches will have hours to wreak havoc on your child\u2019s pearly whites! The enamel-eroding acid that\u2019s formed when sugars interact with the bacteria in your mouth leaves your child\u2019s teeth very vulnerable to cavities and other concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And believe it or not, poor oral health can also have a negative impact on your child\u2019s academic success. Research indicates that children struggling with dental problems are significantly more likely to not finish all of their assigned work or attend class as frequently. There are also psychosocial implications such as reduced friendliness and diminished self-confidence. Needless to say, your child\u2019s oral health matters greatly when it comes to their studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Problem with Cafeteria Lunches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

School lunches are undoubtedly convenient for families with busy schedules or limited options, and recent legislation has made steps towards improving the healthiness of what school cafeterias are offering. However, there are a few things that remain problematic, such as chocolate milk and canned fruits. These items, along with other options that are typically offered, are high in sugars and acids that pose a threat to enamel. On top of that, school lunches also often lack the same overall nutritional value that a homemade lunch can offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggestions for Packing Your Child\u2019s School Lunch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several healthy options you can include in your child\u2019s lunch to help their oral health and in turn, their academic success. Here are just a few items to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n