Summertime is almost here! With school out and kids home for the summer, families often find themselves in a totally different routine than they do during the school year. While mixing things up can certainly be a welcome change, and every kid loves being out of school, the change in routine during summer can potentially harm kids’ oral health.
To help keeps your kids’ teeth safe and healthy this summer, keep the following tips in mind:
-
Wear a mouthguard when playing sports.
Sporting accidents are fairly common, especially amongst children. Whether your child is playing a contact sport like football, hockey, or basketball, or they’re riding around the neighborhood on their bike, make sure they are wearing a mouthguard that will protect their teeth in case there’s an accident or injury.
-
Maintain your child’s oral health routine, even if you’re on vacation.
Less strict bedtimes, family trips, or stays at summer camps are just a few of the things that can throw off a child’s brushing and flossing routine during summer. Just remember that keeping this routine regular is important, and be sure to pack all of your child’s oral health essentials if you’re going out of town.
-
Keep kids on a healthy, low-sugar diet.
Without school lunches and regular mealtimes, many parents find themselves reaching for convenience foods during the summer. While there’s nothing wrong with meals that are quick and easy, make sure they still include plenty of healthy vegetables and don’t include sugary snacks or drinks.
-
Stay hydrated all day, every day.
Aside from the obvious health benefits of drinking plenty of water, keeping your kids hydrated can also help improve their oral health. Not only is water the best alternative to sugary drinks, but it helps to wash sugar off teeth if your kids just can’t help but have a sweet snack.
-
Wear an SPF lip balm.
While your lips don’t have much to do with your teeth, it’s important to protect them as well! Make sure your kids are wearing an SPF 15 or higher lip balm to prevent lips from being burnt and protect against skin cancer.
-
Keep an eye on pool time.
Slips and falls are common on the pool deck, and they can result in chipped or cracked teeth, so be sure to advise your kids not to run around the pool. Additionally, kids who swim regularly can be prone to swimmer’s calculus, which can cause yellow/brown stains on their teeth. So, if your child swims a lot during summer, you may want to schedule an extra dental checkup.
-
Replace kids’ old toothbrushes.
Most toothbrushes are only meant to last about three months. If you’re not sure when you last switched out your child’s toothbrush, the beginning of summer is a great time to do so. Replace their brush when summer break starts and again before school goes back and try to maintain that three-month routine all year.
Another good habit is to schedule a dental check-up for your kids before they go back to school. That way things like cleanings and cavities can be addressed without having to interrupt your child’s school day. Ready to schedule your child’s next cleaning? Give us a call today at 910-256-9040 or click here to schedule your next appointment online.