Summer break is here, and your kids now find themselves with plenty of down time. While fun, this could also lead to lapses in oral hygiene habits and more frequent snacking, all recipes for tooth decay. In today’s blog, your team at Cedar West Dental talk about preventing summertime cavities in Richfield, MN.
Watching Your Sugar Intake
One way to protect your child’s smile, and your own, is with limited sugar intake! When people consume foods and drinks high in sugar, this leaves behind particles that harmful oral bacteria can consume, a process that coats teeth in plaque and tartar to increase the risk of cavities and even gum disease. Cut back on snack cakes, candies, cookies, chips, and even options like dried fruit. Instead, enjoy fresh fruits and veggies, low-fat yogurts, sugar-free gums and candies, whole grain bread and crackers, and nuts and cheeses.
Drinks like sodas have a lot of sugar, and options like energy drinks and even fruit juice and sports drinks all have sugar and acids in them. Try to follow these with water to help rinse away the sugar particles! In general, try to drink more water during the summer to stay healthy and hydrated.
Brushing and Flossing
Kids can often become lapse in their routine during summer, staying up later and sleeping in longer. But make sure they continue to brush and floss daily, as this is crucial for keeping teeth bright and free of tooth decay, and helping them avoid the risk of bad breath and even issues like gingivitis. Kids of all ages need to start their day by brushing their teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. They should do the same before going to bed each evening. Kids also need to floss every evening before they brush that second time, as the floss can dislodge particles trapped between the teeth and under the gums, and brushing can clear away what was dislodged.
Checkups and Cleanings
Summer is a great time to schedule a checkup and cleaning for your whole family! A visit now means your next one will occur during winter breaks, so your kids can avoid missing school for an appointment. We can then examine the teeth and treat the issue we discover without kids falling behind in school or missing extracurricular activities. In the same visit, we protect the smile with a cleaning, which can fight teeth stains, bad breath, cavities, and gum disease! If you have any questions about protecting smiles during the summer, then contact our team today.
Schedule a Your Family’s Next Visit
Our team wants to help safeguard your child’s smile during their time off from school. To learn more about preventing cavities during the break, call Cedar West Dental in Richfield, MN, today at 612) 861-7188.
