{"id":82,"date":"2022-08-08T12:11:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-08T12:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.seahurstparkdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=82"},"modified":"2022-09-21T12:12:29","modified_gmt":"2022-09-21T12:12:29","slug":"should-shouldnt-pack-for-childs-school-lunches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seahurstparkdentistry.com\/blog\/2022\/08\/08\/should-shouldnt-pack-for-childs-school-lunches\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Should (and Shouldn\u2019t) Pack for Your Child\u2019s School Lunches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"healthy<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the last few weeks of summer, it\u2019s time to start preparing for a new school year and getting back to a normal routine for your child, including packing lunches every day. If it were up to them, they\u2019d have all kinds of junk food every day, but as a concerned parent, you worry about cavities. What should you pack for them to eat? What should you avoid giving them? Does it really matter? Keep reading for a guide on the kinds of food you should and shouldn\u2019t provide in your child\u2019s school lunches this year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Food Choices Matter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although you may traditionally think of brushing and flossing as the primary prevention<\/a> methods against tooth decay, diet plays a major role as well. The food your child eats often lingers in their mouth, allowing oral bacteria a chance to feed on it too. If they consume a lot of sugary, starchy foods, acid-producing bacteria can thrive, increasing the risk of cavities significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food to Leave Out of Your Child\u2019s Lunch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, it is easy to identify foods that could potentially harm teeth. For instance, candy is a common culprit, but cookies and desserts, bread (as well as other baked goods), and even crackers contain quite a bit of sugar and break down in a way that encourages oral bacterial growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even foods you would normally associate with being healthy could actually pose a threat to teeth. For instance, dried fruit may contain vitamins, but it is also stickier than fresh fruit and has a higher concentration of sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, having a treat now and then in their lunch isn\u2019t going to derail your child\u2019s smile, but you do need to be careful about keeping \u201cbad\u201d foods to a minimum to preserve their teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food to Include in Your Child\u2019s Lunch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not all food is bad for your child\u2019s dental health. In fact, there are plenty of beneficial options that help keep their teeth strong! For example, calcium-rich foods like yogurt, cheese, and milk reinforce tooth enamel against harmful acids. Fibrous fruits and vegetables, such as leafy greens, carrots, celery, and apples, encourage saliva production, which means the mouth is rinsed more thoroughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though many kids would prefer getting juice in their lunchbox, water is the best possible beverage they can have by far. It contains no sugar, helps your child stay hydrated, and washes away bits of food and plaque that could damage their teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Packing nutritional foods for their lunch helps to teach your child the importance of keeping their body and smile strong. By selecting foods that are healthy, you can reduce the chances of a cavity interfering with their learning and help them enjoy the upcoming school year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Seahurst Park Dentistry, Dr. David Thomas<\/a> is happy to work with patients of all ages, from aging seniors down to small children. Although he has completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry program, he prefers to prevent dental problems, such as cavities, from happening altogether. If you have questions about ways to help your child avoid tooth decay, you can contact Dr. Thomas by calling our Burien office at 206-244-4622 or visiting our Contact Us page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the last few weeks of summer, it\u2019s time to start preparing for a new school year and getting back to a normal routine for your child, including packing lunches every day. If it were up to them, they\u2019d have all kinds of junk food every day, but as a concerned parent, you worry about […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-82","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat You Should (and Shouldn\u2019t) Pack for Your Child\u2019s School Lunches<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you wondering what you should or should not give your child in their school lunches? 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