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The holidays are fast approaching and it is a time for being with family and celebrating, often with lots of foods packed with sugar. It is a season for enjoyment and for building memories, but we have a few simple tips to help keep your child’s teeth healthy during the celebrations, without ruining their fun.
We know it is a busy time of year, but school holidays can be a good time to fit in a dental check-up, right before the real celebrations begin. It is important to make sure your kid sees Dr. Marina Krepkh regularly and a quick check now could help reduce the chances of a dental emergency over the holidays. Our dentists will detect any early signs of tooth decay so cavities can be filled before they cause pain and could spoil your kid’s enjoyment. If your child hasn’t seen a dentist for more than six months or is complaining of tooth sensitivity or discomfort, then please don’t delay and give us a call to book an appointment.
Many traditional holiday foods are sweet and sticky but you can help to balance things out a bit by ensuring you have a range of healthy foods to offer. Make sure you put out a tray of fresh veggies with a favorite dip alongside the sugar cookies. Other foods like cheese or proteins such as chicken or ham, or of course turkey can all help to balance things out a little bit. Read about: Healthy Snacks for Healthy Teeth.
Many of us, including children and adults will give in to the temptation to graze all day but this is the worst thing you can do for your teeth as it means they will be bathed in acid for longer periods of time. Instead, try to set regular mealtimes when people can sit down together. This will help prevent kids (and adults) from reaching for sugary or carbohydrate rich foods throughout the day. Any sweet treats are always best included as part of a main meal as the mouth will only be acidic for half an hour to an hour afterwards, minimizing damage to teeth.
Warm stuffy rooms can soon lead to dehydration so make sure there is plenty of cool fresh water available for your kid to drink. This is far better at quenching thirst that sticky and sugary sodas or fruit juices.
Kids can soon get bored during school holidays and this can lead to snacking so make sure you arrange a few activities to keep them entertained so they are less likely to overindulge in candies. If the weather permits then get outside, but otherwise engage them in games or toys they might have received as presents.
It is not always easy for kids to understand why moderation is best, so make sure you set a good example. Fill your plate with healthy veggies and protein and make sure your child knows how much you are looking forward to eating it. Above all, enjoy the season.
