Maintaining Your Children's Dental Health During Summer Fun!
Moms and dads, we get it, parenting isn't easy! During the school year it's usually easier to keep your kids on a routine, but when summer rolls around, it can get a lot harder to keep those healthy habits on track. And of course, kids love summer (who doesn't) because it represents freedom! Sure, for your children, summer is a time of enjoying the outdoors and having tons of fun. However, with all the disruption the fun of summer brings, it can be difficult to get your children to stick with healthy habits. This is an issue when it comes to your kid's teeth — dental health is crucial. But don't despair. Here are three practical tips for maintaining your children's dental health during summertime.
Maintain That Routine
With the economy starting to reopen, vacations, summer camps, and other exciting activities are coming back and that can be mean a change to normal schedules. During summer, your kids will probably be eating more sweet treats and desserts and drinking more sugary beverages, so it’s especially important for your kids to brush twice a day for two minutes. Make sure that your kids have all of the dental essentials they need, including a travel toothbrush, travel-sized toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash.
Encourage Healthy Eating
Left to their own devices, many kids would eat potato chips and ice cream for every meal. While there's nothing wrong with enjoying tasty treats in moderation, it is important to encourage healthy choices as well. Sugar, in particular, is terrible for dental health. The bacteria that form plaque feast off of sugar. Luckily, there are plenty of great summer foods that are actually nutritious. Think classic picnic fare such as fruit, veggies, cheese, and chicken.
Schedule a Dental Checkup Early
As the time for the return to school approaches, many parents hurry to ensure their children's teeth are in good shape for the new school year. However, it's better to schedule a checkup earlier in the summer. Besides avoiding the late summer rush and making sure your children's teeth are healthy will help ensure a fun summer. Nothing ruins a family vacation or summer camp experience like a nasty toothache or other dental emergency.
Your children should have a wonderful summer. Summertime fun, however, should never get in the way of your children having healthy teeth. Luckily, there's no reason summer fun and good oral health habits can't coexist. Please contact us here at Pearly Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for any further help with keeping your children's teeth healthy.
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