Focus on the Start of School Lunches: 'Children's Teeth and Jaw Growth,' Expert Explains Home Support
The Japan Pediatric Orthodontics Research Institute released a column on home support for children's jaw development as school lunches begin, focusing on the importance of chewing habits.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 10:41 (9 min after Collected)
General Incorporated Association Japan Pediatric Orthodontics Research Institute (Located in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Shinichi Sugioka) has released 'How to Support at Home When School Lunches Start?' as the second half of its April expert column series, published twice monthly.
Shortly after the new school term begins, the Golden Week holidays arrive. This period, when the eating environment changes with the start of school lunches, is an opportunity to review 'chewing habits' that influence children's jaw development. The column explains concrete support methods practiced at home, based on the book 'Clinical Practice of Removable Orthodontic Treatment: A New Approach Called Bio-functional Therapy' (Ishiyaku Publishers, 2022) by Director and Supervising Physician Shinya Hanada, with commentary by Vice-Chairperson Mio Yonezaki.
■ Overview of April Expert Column (Second Half)
Theme: How to Support at Home When School Lunches Start?
Author: Mio Yonezaki, Vice-Chairperson of Japan Pediatric Orthodontics Research Institute (Wakabayashi Dental, Toyota City, Aichi)
Release Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
Column URL: https://jsro.jp/leaning/20260420/
[Key Points of the Column]
Jaw development is said to be about 80% complete by age 6, and chewing stimulation during the growth period affects tooth alignment. Building on this premise from the first half, the second half explains specific home support during the start of school lunches. While school lunches are nutritionally excellent, many menus are prepared to be easy to eat, often reducing the number of chews. Pressure to 'eat quickly' can also lead to swallowing food without proper chewing. The column covers a wide range of support from ingredient selection and verbal encouragement to daily habits like breathing and posture.
Golden Week increases family time around the dining table. Combined with the basic knowledge of 'removable orthodontics' from the first half, these are methods families are encouraged to adopt during the holidays.
■ About the Expert Column Series
Since March 2026, the research institute has been delivering expert columns twice a month. Themes like 'Growth Checks for the New Term' and 'How to Read School Health Exam Results' are tailored to parents' lives and explained in a two-part series. The goal is to maintain medical accuracy while being readable for parents without specialized knowledge.
■ Seminar and Forum Information
Face-to-face forums for members will be held after Golden Week. These are interactive study sessions where members can directly consult supervising physicians about clinical questions and cases.
- April 26, 2026: Forum Fukuoka (Member-only, Face-to-face)
- May 31, 2026: Forum Okayama (Member-only, Face-to-face)
■ About Japan Pediatric Orthodontics Research Institute
The Japan Pediatric Orthodontics Research Institute views pediatric orthodontics not just as 'straightening teeth' but as medicine addressing child growth and development itself. Its goal is to spread oral medicine that utilizes growth during the developmental phase. Tooth misalignment is deeply related to the underlying jaw growth and the development of oral functions like breathing, swallowing, and chewing. The institute explores the ideal medical care for healthy growth in childhood from a comprehensive perspective focusing on these growth processes.
■ Notice of Change in Chairperson
In April 2026, Shinichi Sugioka was appointed as the new Chairperson. Inheriting the vision of first Chairperson Shinya Hanada and former Chairperson Hideki Fujii, he will continue activities toward realizing a 'society where growing healthy dentition and jawbones from childhood is common.' Under the new Chairperson, who has about 20 years of experience in pediatric orthodontics, the institute will further enhance learning opportunities for members and information dissemination to parents and society.
Shortly after the new school term begins, the Golden Week holidays arrive. This period, when the eating environment changes with the start of school lunches, is an opportunity to review 'chewing habits' that influence children's jaw development. The column explains concrete support methods practiced at home, based on the book 'Clinical Practice of Removable Orthodontic Treatment: A New Approach Called Bio-functional Therapy' (Ishiyaku Publishers, 2022) by Director and Supervising Physician Shinya Hanada, with commentary by Vice-Chairperson Mio Yonezaki.
■ Overview of April Expert Column (Second Half)
Theme: How to Support at Home When School Lunches Start?
Author: Mio Yonezaki, Vice-Chairperson of Japan Pediatric Orthodontics Research Institute (Wakabayashi Dental, Toyota City, Aichi)
Release Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
Column URL: https://jsro.jp/leaning/20260420/
[Key Points of the Column]
Jaw development is said to be about 80% complete by age 6, and chewing stimulation during the growth period affects tooth alignment. Building on this premise from the first half, the second half explains specific home support during the start of school lunches. While school lunches are nutritionally excellent, many menus are prepared to be easy to eat, often reducing the number of chews. Pressure to 'eat quickly' can also lead to swallowing food without proper chewing. The column covers a wide range of support from ingredient selection and verbal encouragement to daily habits like breathing and posture.
Golden Week increases family time around the dining table. Combined with the basic knowledge of 'removable orthodontics' from the first half, these are methods families are encouraged to adopt during the holidays.
■ About the Expert Column Series
Since March 2026, the research institute has been delivering expert columns twice a month. Themes like 'Growth Checks for the New Term' and 'How to Read School Health Exam Results' are tailored to parents' lives and explained in a two-part series. The goal is to maintain medical accuracy while being readable for parents without specialized knowledge.
■ Seminar and Forum Information
Face-to-face forums for members will be held after Golden Week. These are interactive study sessions where members can directly consult supervising physicians about clinical questions and cases.
- April 26, 2026: Forum Fukuoka (Member-only, Face-to-face)
- May 31, 2026: Forum Okayama (Member-only, Face-to-face)
■ About Japan Pediatric Orthodontics Research Institute
The Japan Pediatric Orthodontics Research Institute views pediatric orthodontics not just as 'straightening teeth' but as medicine addressing child growth and development itself. Its goal is to spread oral medicine that utilizes growth during the developmental phase. Tooth misalignment is deeply related to the underlying jaw growth and the development of oral functions like breathing, swallowing, and chewing. The institute explores the ideal medical care for healthy growth in childhood from a comprehensive perspective focusing on these growth processes.
■ Notice of Change in Chairperson
In April 2026, Shinichi Sugioka was appointed as the new Chairperson. Inheriting the vision of first Chairperson Shinya Hanada and former Chairperson Hideki Fujii, he will continue activities toward realizing a 'society where growing healthy dentition and jawbones from childhood is common.' Under the new Chairperson, who has about 20 years of experience in pediatric orthodontics, the institute will further enhance learning opportunities for members and information dissemination to parents and society.