How to Pack School Lunches That Don’t Cause Cavities

Every kid deserves a good lunch after a hard morning at school, but some food choices can more easily lead to cavities than others. While parents are always keen to stock the fridge with some kid-friendly ready-made lunches, some of these foods can be more dangerous to the teeth than their packaging suggests. Eating excessive sugar, acid, and processed carbs is known to raise someone’s risk of developing cavities, and all too often foods rich in them wind up in school lunch bags. Read on to learn about some teeth-friendly lunch options to help your child maintain a healthy smile this school year.

Choosing the Right Bread

While sandwiches have been a staple of kids’ lunches for generations, not all of them are as good for their dental health as others, mainly due to the bread that they’re made with. Some breads contain high amounts of fermentable carbs that plaque-causing bacteria love, with white bread being one of the worst offenders. A sandwich can leave these plaque-causing bacteria on your child’s teeth until their next brushing.

Whole grain breads are a much better alternative that promotes healthy teeth and gums while causing much less plaque buildup. You might also try making wraps with pita bread or tortillas. Experiment with different combinations until you find something your family likes.

Limit the Potato Chips

Potato chips are full of starch and processed fat, both of which are great for growing more plaque-causing bacteria. They also have a way of getting stuck in the grooves and pits of the teeth after being chewed, providing these bacteria with a hidden breeding ground. If your child needs something crunchy in their lunchbox, try delicious, nutritious fruits and vegetables. Fibrous plant matter like carrots or apples can scrub away dental plaque as you chew it while also stimulating gum tissues. You might also try crunchy proteins like nuts and seeds.

Skip the Juices and Sodas

When you enjoy a beverage, the liquid makes contact with all surfaces within your mouth. While sodas, juices, and sports drinks might seem like nice midday sweet treats, they are actually full of sugar and acid that can feed the bacteria that cause cavities and wear away your child’s enamel. While having one on occasion won’t do any real harm, most of the liquid your child consumes should be water. Not only does it have no sugar, but it also helps wash bacteria and food debris away while keeping the mouth hydrated enough for its natural cleaning process. You can help them with this by sending them to school with a refillable water bottle they can sip on throughout the day.

The lunch break is that little oasis of relaxation in the middle of a long school day, but it shouldn’t be a time for kids to collect cavities. Keeping your child’s teeth in mind while packing their lunch can help keep their smile healthy and the school year successful.

About the Practice

Real Dental provides top-quality family dental care to patients in Grand Prairie, TX. Led by Drs. Christopher Duong, John Kuan, Jim Lee, and Bradley Kou, the skilled staff provides compassionate service with the latest methods and technology. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, restorative, emergency, and pediatric dentistry. For more information about how to keep your child’s teeth healthy at school, contact the office online or dial (817) 406-7239.