Summer break begins this week, and kids across the community will be out of school! The changes to their routine could inadvertently increase overall cavity risk, but we have a few tips to help. In today’s blog, Celina Family Dentistry talks about how to protect smiles young and old during summer break.
How Summertime and Cavities are Connected
What makes summertime such a cavity risk for kids? Well, for children of all ages being home from school means staying up later, sleeping in, and enjoying changes to their normal routine that can impact how often and well they brush and floss. This allows bacteria and buildup to flourish, creating cavities and even gingivitis. Likewise, they tend to snack more and will more often than not reach for something high in sugar and starch, like candy, chips, sodas, and energy drinks. Even if they are outdoors and active, they may consume sports drinks that contain harmful sugars and acids. But we have a few tips to help safeguard smiles all summer long!
Brushing and Flossing
Kids of all ages need to begin their morning by brushing for two minutes with a toothbrush that has soft bristles and a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which can help protect outer enamel. They need to do the same before they go to bed, and also floss. Flossing should happen every evening before they brush the second time, and will remove what a toothbrush alone cannot reach, such as food and drink particles caught between the teeth or just under the gums. They then brush to clear away the dislodged particles. This can help all ages maintain good oral health!
Also, make sure they enjoy sugary foods and drinks in moderation, and follow them with a sip of water to help rinse away sugar and starch. Encourage them to enjoy healthier options, like fresh fruits and veggies, low-fat yogurts, cheeses, nuts, and whole grain breads and crackers!
Your Next Checkup and Cleaning
Summer is also an excellent time to schedule your little one’s next checkup and cleaning, as they can avoid missing school and falling behind, and pick up their follow-up visit during winter break. A checkup means an exam to catch issues early and allow us to treat them before they cause pain or impact smile stability. We then clean the teeth to remove harmful plaque and tartar to keep cavities at bay. We can also discuss options like fluoride and dental sealants to better protect smiles from cavities.
Celina Family Dentistry Offers Care for the Whole Family!
Our team wants to help improve oral health for smiles both young and old. To learn more about how we lower cavity risks for our patients, then please call Celina Family Dentistry in Celina, TX at (214) 851-0130 today.
