Summer Dental Tips for Kids
The flowers are in full bloom. Bees are swarming all around. Barbecue is smelling good on the grill. Fun outdoor activities. That can only mean one thing – summer is here. It’s a season well loved by kids. However, with summer comes loose schedules and lax rules for your family. We consulted a number of children’s dentists to check what summer oral health tips to follow for kids to give them a bright and happy healthy smile all through the summer and beyond.
Oral Hygiene
Not a lot of kids’ idea of a fun time involves brushing their teeth, flossing, and using an antibacterial mouthwash. However, even though it’s summertime, we have to encourage them to keep up with their oral hygiene. Whether they are on summer camps or spending their days out at the beach or the pool, remind them frequently of their oral hygiene tasks.
The American Dental Association says one of the ways you can make brushing a fun activity for little ones is to do it as a family. This will also help in setting a good example for them.
If you have to, get your kids new toothbrushes. The recommended amount of time to use toothbrushes is three months. It is also advisable to stock on extra brushes, and even travel-sized mouthwash, toothpaste, and floss to bring with you when you go on vacations or weekend trips. Prepare a mini travel kit filled with oral essentials, so your family is always prepared.
Dental Checkups
Usually, parents schedule dental checkups for the family before school starts. However, dental issues should be prevented even before class starts. Getting their oral health checkup done over the summer will give you peace of mind that they are starting off the season with healthy teeth. No kid would want to suffer from toothaches or any dental emergency while they are trying to have a fun summer break.
Easy on the Tempting Treats
Sweets, candies, and other delicious tempting treats are plentiful during the summer. Moreover, the weather will spike your kids’ ice cream, soda, snow cones, chips, and other junk food cravings. As you know, too much sugar and starchy foods are the leading cause of cavities. You can let your kids enjoy the delicious treats, just try to monitor their sweets intake. Make sure that they also eat fruits and vegetables, which brings us to our next point.
Foods for Healthy Teeth and Gums
They say you are what you eat. And the same can be said for what the state of your teeth and gums are. Too much sugary and starchy foods are not going to give your mouth any favors. According to ADA, cheese, yogurt, leafy green vegetables, almonds, celery, carrots, and apples are some of the most recommended foods to improve your oral health. These foods are chock full of protein, calcium, and fiber, which are the essential nutrients to strengthen your teeth.
During the summer, kids try to cure their boredom by snacking all day. If you stock on healthy food options and reduce the junk, you’ll feel a whole lot better when your kids are snacking. Get apples and bananas instead of cookies, yogurt instead of ice cream, water instead of acidic sodas. You’ll feel good when you know that the kids are eating foods that are good for their teeth and gums.
Dental Emergencies and Injuries During the Summer
Not all summer dental emergencies involve toothaches or cavities. A lot of them are due to pool accidents. Kids hitting the ledge with their mouth, running on wet and slippery decks, diving into shallow waters can result in chipping or knocking a tooth loose. First of all, have the contact of your local emergency dentist ready. In the event of a dental emergency or injury, getting to the dental clinic right away is crucial. But there are things you can do to help. Reduce any swelling by using warm water and cold packs respectively. You can use gauze to stop any bleeding. If your kid lost a tooth, use milk or salt water to keep it moist until you arrive at the dentist.
Enjoy the Summer with Healthy Teeth
Outdoor activities, delicious sweets, lax rules, and disorganized schedules. It’s easy to get sidetracked during summertime. Don’t let the carefreeness of summer make you neglect your kids’ health. The tips we gathered above from trusted children’s dentists will help in your kids’ developing teeth. Be sure to follow them so you can protect your children’s health and prevent any long-term oral issues.