If you have kids, then you’re probably well aware that summer break has finally arrived. With your kids at home, they have way more time for playing, as well as snacking. Instead of letting summer be a time when they increase the likelihood of developing cavities, why not help them practice good oral hygiene over the summer?
Tips for Improving Summer Smiles
- Drink More Water: While sodas, energy drinks, and sports drinks are popular, they all contain sugars and a highly acidic content, which can damage enamel and increase the risk of tooth decay forming. Water, however, is healthy and properly hydrates.
- Choose Better Snacks: Instead of relying on chips, candy, or snack cakes, try offering a healthier alternative. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and low-fat yogurt are delicious, contain essential vitamins and nutrients, and don’t pose as great a risk to your children’s smiles.
- Always Floss: Your child should be flossing once a day. When you floss, you remove food particles that have become caught between the teeth. Bacteria can no longer feed on these bits of food and cause plaque buildup, which would weaken the tooth enamel.
- Brush Properly: Kids should be brushing their teeth twice a day, once when they wake up and again before going to bed. Brushing removes food particles and helps reduce the severity of plaque buildup, protecting the smile from the onset of decay. Each time they brush kids should clean their teeth for no less than two minutes.
- Schedule a Checkup and Cleaning: A routine checkup and cleaning helps the doctor identify potential problems early and strengthens the smile’s defenses against cavities and periodontal problems. If you would like to schedule a visit for you and your family, then simply give our office a call today.