How Is Your Child’s Oral Health Affected By School Lunches?

You may have been able to keep an eye on your child’s eating habits throughout the summer. Now that school is back in session, however, it can become more difficult to help them stay on track with their diet and oral health. To help them preserve a healthy smile, you’ll want to pack their lunch with teeth-friendly meals. Otherwise, they could be at risk of serious dental issues, like cavities and gum disease. Keep reading from your dentist in Far North Dallas to learn about the link between your child’s oral health and their school lunches!

The Connection Between School Lunches & Oral Health

Whatever your little one eats during the school day will remain on their pearly whites up until they clean them again in the evening. If you send them with a lunch that consists of no nutritional value, such as candy and chips, you can risk allowing food particles to stay stuck in their smile for 4+ hours. This can be detrimental to their oral health if it happens every day. On top of that, foods that are high in sugar content can develop acid by-products that can wear down their enamel, making them more vulnerable to cavities and disease.

The Importance of a Healthy Smile in Academic Success

Contrary to what you might believe, recent research has found that your child’s oral health plays a significant role in their academic accomplishments. According to the studies conducted, children who struggled more with dental issues were much more likely to not complete their assigned work, or miss school days altogether. There were also negative psychosocial influences from poor oral health, such as feelings of shyness and lower self-esteem. Since it affects both their oral and overall health, it’s easy to see how having a healthy smile can improve their academic success.

7 Healthy Options to Pack in Your Child’s Lunch

Helping to preserve your child’s oral health doesn’t have to be a complicated or time-consuming process. You can start by simply packing their lunch with vitamin-rich, smile-friendly foods. Many options even come pre-cut or individually wrapped, making it easier to quickly create a well-balanced meal for them. Consider packing their lunch with the following items:

• Fresh fruits, like bananas and kiwi.
• Nuts, like almonds and cashews.
• Raw veggies, such as celery and carrots.
• Yogurt.
• Oatmeal.
• Applesauce (without extra sugar).
• Soup (go ahead and put more veggies!).

Keep these few tips in mind when sending your little one off to school. By helping them stick with a nutritional diet, you can be sure that they’ll enjoy a stronger and healthier smile in the long run!

About the Practice

At Bear Creek Family Dentistry, we understand the importance of your little one’s oral health. That’s why we’re proud to offer a wide range of high-quality and comprehensive treatments, including dental checkups/cleanings, gum disease therapy, and tooth-colored fillings. Our friendly and expert team will do everything we can to make sure your child has an enjoyable and comfortable experience while getting the best care they deserve. If you’d like to schedule an appointment for your little one, visit our website or call us at 972-490-1600.