Summer break has finally arrived which means your children are about to home a lot more. Summer also means more downtime, and as a result, more snacking. While the break can be fun, without proper oral maintenance this break can also mean increasing the risk of cavities and other oral health concerns. How do you protect your children’s smiles during summer break?
Tips for Protecting Your Children’s Smiles
- Offer more water: Drinking water can help your children remain hydrated in the hot sun. In addition, water contains no acids or sugars that can endanger the teeth. We suggest offering water instead of sodas, energy drinks, or sports drinks to protect smiles from tooth decay.
- Provide healthy snack alternatives: Instead of candy and chips, which sugar and other starches, try providing fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, or even low-fat yogurt. These are healthy alternatives that are also delicious.
- See the dentist: During the summer your kids can see the dentist without missing school or conflicting with after school activities. A checkup and cleaning allows the doctor to address potential problems in the early stages and safeguard the teeth against cavities and gingivitis. Kids should see the dentist once every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
- Make sure they brush: You kids should be brushing their teeth once in the evening and again in the morning, for no less than two minutes per session. Make sure they are brushing properly and if they are younger than six, assist them if necessary.
- Floss daily: Flossing is even more important than brushing. Toothbrush bristles can’t reach between teeth, where food particles can be broken down by bacteria, causing plaque buildup and a greater risk of decay. Your child should floss every night before going to bed.
