The holidays can be stressful, and it’s very easy to give up on wrangling your kids into general mouth health during such a busy time. But don’t give up! Trying to cram an emergency dental visit into your holiday plans is not a fun idea for anyone. Here are some things to help make sure your family’s smiles stay healthy and happy this holiday season.
If your child has a hard time being willing to brush their teeth for a full 2 minutes, try setting a timer. If they have a hard time remembering in the morning or evening, consider offering a non-food reward for every day (or week) that they brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes. This could be as uncomplicated or elaborate as you would like, from a simple sticker chart to a small gift.
You could also use brushing as family time–brushing teeth together starting this week can get you over 3.5 extra hours of time with your child before the end of 2017.
Sugary treats should be accompanied by a large glass of plain or fluoridated water, to help clean the sugar away from teeth. If possible, give treats all at once, rather than throughout the day (in small portion sizes, of course). This allows the child to brush their teeth after eating sugary food–without immediately introducing more sugar into her or his mouth.
For more information, call Colmar Dentistry for Kids in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, at 267-209-6930. Dr. Kathryn Leahey and our team are happy to help!