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Keeping Your Kids Teeth Healthy In The Summer

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Keeping Your Kids Teeth Healthy In The Summer

Introduction:

As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, it can only mean one thing: summer break is almost here!

We’ve put together this content that explains Keeping Your Kids Teeth Healthy In The Summer. Be aware and take care of your teeth.

[1]As parents, we understand the importance of good dental habits for a healthy, happy smile. While summer vacation sets the stage for fun, new experiences, it can also seriously disrupt your child’s dental health routine. To help protect your child’s overall well-being this summer, it’s important to encourage proper oral hygiene. Here are some tips for keeping your child’s teeth and gums healthy while they are enjoying summer vacation.

Schedule A Checkup

Visiting the dentist regularly can help your child’s smile stay healthy all year long. Parents often schedule dental checkups around August, right before school starts, which is a great way to start the school year off right. However, if you want to ensure that your summer isn’t interrupted with dental concerns, we recommend scheduling a dental appointment right after class ends. This will significantly reduce the likelihood of a toothache during summer camp or sporting activities.

Stay On Schedule

Summer vacation can seriously disrupt bedtime routines. No matter how eventful your summer gets, it’s important to make sure your kids continue to practice good dental hygiene. Resist the temptation to let your kids skip brushing before a late bedtime, and be sure to supervise to make sure they are brushing twice daily for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. The American Dental Association recommends that parents use brushing calendars to stay on top of kids’ brushing habits during the summer months. Also, don’t forget to clean between their teeth once a day. With consistent brushing and flossing habits, your kids will stay on track for healthy back-to-school dental visits.

Stock Healthy Items

Great dental care goes beyond brushing and flossing. A balanced diet that is rich in low-sugar foods can promote good dental health! When kids are home during the summer, make sure your children are grazing on healthy items by stocking your refrigerator and pantry with fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grain foods. Good snack choices for healthy teeth include low-fat yogurt, celery sticks, cheddar cheese, apples, and unsalted almonds.

[2]Lend Fruits And Veggies Into Smoothies Or Popsicles

Another way to include teeth-friendly fruits and veggies into your kiddos’ summer diet is blending their favorites into smoothies. Add yogurt, coconut milk, or nut milk for protein. Then take your smoothie blends to the next level and freeze them into popsicles!

Double-Down On Your Kids’ Oral Hygiene Routine

In summer, kids get a break from the rush to get to school in the morning, or the excitement of after-school activities and homework, so there’s more time to slow down and practice diligent oral hygiene. Ensure your kids brush their teeth twice a day and floss once. Kids who don’t brush their teeth regularly are at risk of plaque build up, tooth decay or cavities, and even gum disease.

Let’s go through oral hygiene for kids step by step. Brushing teeth for kids starts by making sure their toothbrush is in good working order. If it’s looking a little worse for wear, toss it and pick out a new, soft-bristled one. Change your toothbrush every three to four months. That’s how long it typically takes for toothbrush bristles to start fraying and lose their effectiveness. As for toothpaste, make sure to use one with fluoride. You should also have dental floss or floss picks at the ready.

Floss first, then brush teeth at a 45 degree angle, brushing all surfaces as well as the tongue, palate, and inside the cheeks. Finish with a swish (and spit!) of alcohol-free mouthwash for kids and your youngster is good to go.

Conclusion:

Summer might be your child’s favorite time of year, but typical warm weather activities can be detrimental to their teeth. All the possible ways are explained but never bound yourself. Keep looking for best suggestions for your good oral health.

For Assistance, Visit Apple Tree Dental

Article compiled by Apple Tree Dental

Article Reference Links:

  1. https://www.interdent.com/gentle-dental/blog/keeping-your-kids-teeth-healthy-in-the-summer/ ↑

  2. https://www.kidsmilehigh.com/6-ways-to-keep-kids-teeth-healthy-summer-2021/ ↑

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Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay apple tree

Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

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Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Introduction:

We at Apple Tree Dental want our clients to have a healthy smile. This compiled article provides helpful tips to save your baby’s teeth and prompt a healthy long-term smile.

[1]Even though they are temporary, your child’s baby teeth are important and are still susceptible to cavities. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Early Childhood Caries. Their first teeth also help make sure their adult teeth come in correctly. What Causes Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected.

Many factors can cause tooth decay. One common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. In addition, tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle or when a bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby.

If your infant or toddler does not receive an adequate amount of fluoride, they may also have an increased risk for tooth decay. The good news is that decay is preventable.

[2]Tooth decay develops when acid-producing bacteria infect a baby’s mouth. Parents and caregivers can pass bacteria to babies through saliva. For example, bacteria are spread by sharing saliva on spoons or cups, testing foods before feeding them to babies and cleaning off a pacifier in the parent’s or caregiver’s mouth.

Tooth decay also develops when the child’s teeth and gums are exposed to any liquid or food other than water for long periods or frequently throughout the day. Natural or added sugars in the liquid or food are changed to acid by bacteria in the mouth. This acid then dissolves the outer part of the teeth, causing them to decay.

[3]Signs of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

You can look for signs of decay on the gumline of their upper front teeth, where you might find white spots on the teeth. However, these signs may be hard to see without proper equipment. That’s why it’s recommended to bring your baby to a pediatric dentist. That way, you can get a clear plan on how to take care of your baby’s new teeth and prevent any early decay right from the start.

However, if decay does start affecting your baby’s teeth, issues can arise.

  • Pain and discomfort in the mouth
  • Potential costly dental care down the line or emergency care
  • Damage to permanent teeth or loss of the space needed for them to grow in
  • Infections that could lead to other health issues

While all this sounds frightening, don’t worry—treating and preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay is doable.

Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

  • Try not to share saliva with the baby through the common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers. After each feeding, wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth.
  • When your child’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and a smear (or grain of rice-sized amount) of fluoride toothpaste until the age of 3.
  • Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from 3 to 6.
  • Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste—usually not before he or she is 6 or 7.
  • Place only formula, milk or breast milk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar, water, juice or soft drinks.
  • Infants should finish their bedtime and nap time bottles before going to bed.
  • If your child uses a pacifier, provide a clean one—don’t dip it in sugar or honey.
  • Please encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.
  • Encourage healthy eating habits.

Conclusion:

We hope that this article has been helpful. Check back frequently for other oral health tips here at Apple Tree Dental.

Article compiled by AppleTreeDental.ca

Article Reference links:

  1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/baby-bottle-tooth-decay ↑
  2. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/How-to-Prevent-Tooth-Decay-in-Your-Baby.aspx ↑
  3. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/kids-oral-care/treatment-for-baby-bottle-tooth-decay ↑

 

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Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay