4 Tips to Keep Your Child’s Teeth Healthy Over the Holidays

The holidays are all about spending quality time with your family and getting the most from everyone’s time off of work and school. In addition to all of that, your schedule is also going to be packed full of family gatherings and holiday parties that are sure to have a massive dessert table. Your little one’s change in daily routine and diet can open the door for oral health problems to develop, and the last thing you need on your plate is an unexpected visit to your child’s pediatric dentist in Birmingham thanks to a severe toothache. Read on for four holiday tips to keep your little one’s mouth cavity-free.

Be Mindful of Their Sugar Intake

As your little one is wrapping up the first part of their schoolyear before the holidays, you’ll be preparing treats, decorations, and fun activities for all of their classroom parties. Over the next couple of months, their sugar intake is going to skyrocket, especially with the constant temptation of sweets at home, school, and family get-togethers. Instead of bringing in cookies, cakes, brownies, or pies for their school parties (because there will likely be plenty of sweets to choose from already), try bringing healthier alternatives. Sugar and starch play a key part in cavity formation, so to keep mouths from being riddled with dental decay, be sure to encourage sugar cutbacks in your household.

Schedule Their Semi-Annual Checkup and Cleaning

While your children are on holiday break and you’re able to take some days off of work, be sure to schedule their semi-annual checkup and cleaning with their pediatric dentist. Routine professional examinations can help take care of the small problems before they have an opportunity to become more serious and difficult to treat.

Make Sure They’re Keeping Up With Brushing and Flossing

With the drastic change in their schedule over the break from school, it can be difficult for them to stay motivated to continue brushing and flossing their teeth in the morning and at night. As a parent, it’s important that you make sure they’re dedicating two minutes twice each day to brushing their teeth and flossing at least once a day. This will ward off any lingering threats of oral health problems by keeping sugar from settling on their teeth and causing cavities to form.

Substitute Healthy Snacks Whenever Possible

With all of the sugary and starchy leftovers from family parties and dinners in your fridge, it can be tempting to tell your little one to go pick out their own snack if they’re hungry. The problem is, they’ll likely gravitate towards the unhealthy selections. Instead of allowing them to munch on tempting leftovers, prepare some healthy alternatives, such as celery sticks, apples, and low-fat cheeses.

Not only are these tips great for their physical health, but they’re also great for their teeth and gums! With the right preventive measures in place over the holidays, you can keep your child from needing emergency dental care and experiencing oral pain. Not to mention, keeping these tips in your back pocket can help your family get through every other season as well!

About the Author

Dr. Angelica Rohner completed a two-year residency program in pediatric dentistry at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama and received her advanced degree in pediatric dentistry. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry as well. She is passionate about serving patients with special needs and giving high-quality preventive treatments that help small smiles grow up to be healthy. For questions or to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning, visit her website or call 205-870-0892.