The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and creating cherished memories with family and friends. However, amidst all the festivities, it’s essential not to neglect your child’s oral health. With the abundance of sugary treats and irregular routines during this time, it’s crucial to be proactive in maintaining your child’s dental hygiene. Here are our top tips for maintaining good oral health during the upcoming holiday season.
Maintain a Routine
The holiday season often disrupts regular routines, including bedtime and mealtime. While some flexibility is okay, try to maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine as much as possible. Encourage your child to brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. If you’re traveling or staying overnight at someone else’s house, bring a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss to ensure these habits aren’t forgotten. We recommend having a pre-packed toiletry bag for each kid with their floss picks, extra toothbrush, and small toothpaste ready to go. To make it even simpler – store it in their suitcase so it’s one less thing to remember to pack!
Choose Tooth-Friendly Treats (When Possible)
The holidays are notorious for an abundance of sugary treats like cookies, candies, and pies. While it’s perfectly fine for your child to indulge occasionally, it’s crucial to balance these treats with healthier snack options…even if it’s switching out candy corn for chocolate covered pretzels – it’s a step in the right direction of building healthier eating habits.
Ideally, always opt for fruits, vegetables, and nuts as alternative snacks. These options not only contribute to better oral health but also provide essential nutrients. By making small switches, children will quickly get accustomed to these healthier options and snack time (or holiday dessert time) won’t have to end in a meltdown.
When your child does enjoy sugary treats, encourage moderation. Our kids (and yes, us too) live in a world of excess – especially when it comes to food and sugar. And excess sugar can quickly lead to tooth decay and cavities. Save the sweets till after dinner! It’s better to have a small serving of dessert after a meal rather than grazing on sweets throughout the day. Additionally, try to limit the consumption of sticky candies and soda, as they can cling to the teeth and promote tooth decay.
Stay Hydrated with Water & Limit Sugary Drinks
During the holiday season, it’s easy to forget about drinking enough water when there are so many other beverages available. However, water is essential for maintaining good oral health. Encourage your child to drink water throughout the day, as it helps rinse away food particles and bacteria, reducing the risk of cavities. Try infusing water with fruit for a fun, tasty twist! Creating fun infused water is a fantastic way to help curb a child’s sugary drink habit. And when you’re at a family get-together and your child is not crazy about drinking water, simply encourage them to use straws to minimize acid and sugar contact with their teeth!
Finally, Take Time to Teach Gratitude
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all the other wonderful holidays that fill our holiday season are not just about food and presents, but also about gratitude and giving back. Encourage your children to think about what they are grateful for and consider starting a tradition of donating toys or volunteering together. Teaching empathy and kindness can have a positive impact on your child’s overall well-being.
The holiday season is a special time for families and I hope you enjoy it to the fullest. However, it’s equally important to take steps to ensure that your child’s dental health doesn’t suffer during this festive period. By maintaining a routine, making wise food choices, and practicing good oral hygiene, you can help your child maintain a bright and healthy smile throughout the holidays and beyond. Remember that a little extra care can go a long way in preserving those beautiful smiles!