With the summer season in full swing, you’re likely planning your next vacation or thinking of fun activities to do with the family, including your kids who are probably out of school. Of course, with the summer season comes irregular schedules, an influx of sugar-filled foods and beverages, and lots of free time, all of which can lead to an increased risk of cavities. If you want you and your children’s smiles to still be healthy by the time fall rolls around, all you have to do is keep three oral health tips in mind, according to a dentist in Uptown Houston!
Stay Dedicated to Your Routine
Since you’re far more likely to be staying up late with your friends and family during the summer, it can be easy to forget about your brushing and flossing routine. No matter how late it gets, once it’s time for bed, do not allow yourself nor your youngest family members to go to sleep without brushing and flossing. Make sure everyone brushes for at least two minutes at a time as well. This ensures that you are reaching all the corners of your mouth, especially your back teeth, which can easily go overlooked.
Flossing should be performed at least once a day. If your child struggles to floss, purchase them a handheld interdental cleaner. You can also put your hands over theirs as they floss to help them get used to the technique. The sides of the teeth are often missed while brushing and can just as easily develop tooth decay as the rest of their smile.
Cut Out the Sugar
You might find yourself sipping on beverages that contain large amounts of sugar during the summer. Sporting events, festivals, parades, and practically any community event is likely to have free soda and snacks for you to eat. However, many of these refreshments, including juice and lemonade, can be extremely harmful to your oral health. Instead, be sure to drink plain water most of the time. For meals, be sure to pair them with water so that saliva production stays high.
Furthermore, make sure that you don’t allow your family to snack for long periods of time, or graze throughout the day. The more time they spend not snacking, the more time the mouth has to produce saliva and wash away harmful debris and bacteria.
Schedule Back-to-School Visits Today
Now that school is out and your children have additional free time, there’s no better season than the summer to get their routine checkups and cleanings out of the way. Back-to-school visits are ideal because you don’t have to worry about accommodating their class schedule nor interrupting their lessons throughout the school year. Plus, once winter break begins, it will be easier to get their second routine appointment out of the way. Schedule an appointment with a dentist today and protect your family’s smiles this summer!
About the Author
Dr. Terri Alani earned her DDS degree from the University of Texas Houston. Since then, she’s been helping individuals and families maintain healthy smiles via effective preventive treatments. To learn more about her practice or get your family scheduled for a routine visit, you can contact her through her website.