With summer break finally here, your kids will have a more relaxed schedule and may be tempted to snack more and drink more sodas. While we want them to enjoy their time away from school, this could be a recipe for tooth decay. In today’s blog, your team at Mansfield Dental Associates talks about protecting smiles over summer break!
Summer Break and The Onset of Cavities
As we mentioned above, when children don’t brush and floss normally and consume a lot of foods and drinks with sugar, this could create the plaque and tartar buildup that coats the teeth, weakening enamel to make cavities possible. For older kids, this could also create gingivitis. To protect their smiles, we urge parents to help their children maintain a good oral hygiene routine at home!
Brushing and Flossing
Kids of all ages need to brush and floss. These actions clear away particles of sugar and starch before bacteria can consume them and create plaque and tartar buildup. Kids need to brush when they wake up and before they go to bed every day, even on vacation! We suggest kids three and under use a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, and kids over the age of three use a pea-sized bit of fluoride toothpaste. Children also need to floss every evening before they brush the second time.
Limiting Sugar Intake
Cutting back on how much sugar and starch are in their diets is a huge boost for their oral health. Limit their access to sugary sweets, chips, sodas, energy drinks, and sports drinks. Encourage them to drink more water and enjoy items like fresh fruits and veggies, you could even provide hummus or cottage cheese to dip the veggies in. Sugar-free gum and candies are a fun treat, as is low-fat yogurt, cheeses, assorted nuts, and whole grain breads and crackers.
Checkups and Cleanings
If they have not seen the dentist in the last six months, then schedule their visit now. We can conduct an exam and treat any issues like tooth decay without the risk of missing school and falling behind. We also clean their teeth to remove harmful plaque and tartar, which further limits cavity risk. We then provide treatments like fluoride and dental sealants to protect their teeth all summer long.
If you have any questions about how to help kids of all ages enjoy a smile-healthy summer, then reach out to our office today to learn more and start your treatment process!
Our Team Wants to Keep Smiles Healthy
We want to help protect smiles of all ages during their time off from school, so see our team soon for a checkup and cleaning. To learn more about our approach to children’s dentistry, or schedule your appointment, call our Mansfield, TX, dental team today at 817-473-6227.
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