The holiday season is in full swing, with Christmas just around the corner! So what does that mean for your child’s oral health? It could mean a lot, even cavities!
The hustle and bustle of spreading holiday cheer can disrupt your children’s daily oral routines, but it doesn’t have to!
We want your family to enjoy the Christmas holiday, and if that means eating chocolate in your PJs all day, great! Do it! We just want to be sure to cut some cavity corners in other places. 🙂
Spreading Christmas Cheer!
Holidays are supposed to be filled with delicious treats and mouth-watering goodies, so we don’t want anyone to feel like we are discouraging you from enjoying those treats!
We have put together a simple guide that may come in handy when your family is out and about spreading holiday cheer! These helpful tips will hopefully reduce the risk of decay for your children’s teeth!
- If your children will be consuming drinks that are high in acid, such as juice and cider, have them first rinse their mouths before they brush their teeth. This will ensure that the acids from the drinks aren’t brushed against the teeth, causing damage to the tooth enamel.
- Invest in travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste that can be used on the go. They easily fit into a purse or small backpack!
- Sometimes brushing just isn’t ideal. In such cases, remind kids to rinse with water after eating and drinking, and offer them (age permitting) sugar-free gum afterward. Chewing gum has been proven to increase saliva production in our mouths, which neutralizes those acids that can cause decay.
- If all possible, children should refrain from sweets that are particularly sticky and chewy, such as caramel, gummy bears, and so on. Sticky foods tend to remain on teeth for longer periods of time, which can break down the tooth enamel and damage the tooth structure.
You Won’t Find a Christmas Treat Grinch in Our House!
While it’s great to be cautious, we want your kids to enjoy Christmas! Oral health aside, we know that this is the most wonderful time of the year, and we all look forward to seeing friends and family and eating ourselves into a sugar coma!