3 Ways Parents Can Protect Kids Teeth from Holiday Treats

Between Christmas cookies, fudge, candy canes and more, your children may consume a tremendous number of sugary treats throughout the holiday season. Sugar can directly impact your children’s teeth and are a leading contributor to the development of cavities and other oral health issues. While you may allow your children to indulge in special holiday treats, you can also follow these tips to protect their teeth in the process.

Limit Treats

While some indulgence during the holiday season is to be expected, avoid letting your children go crazy with sweet treats at all hours of the day. For example, you can allow your children to have a few treats at a specific time each day rather than leaving the treats out throughout the day for them to graze on. By limiting treats, you limit the amount of sugar that they are exposed to. You can also monitor and control dental hygiene more easily.

Encourage Brushing and Flossing after Treats

When sugar sits on teeth, it can lead to plaque and ultimately to decay. With this in mind, encourage your children to brush and floss regularly after eating sweet treats. This may even include an extra tooth brushing session beyond what they normally do. Remember that brushing and flossing is recommended a minimum of two times per day, and there is no harm in brushing three or even four times in some cases. In the event you are away from home and children are unable to brush and floss immediately after eating sweet foods, encourage them to drink plenty of water. By doing so, some of the sugar that may otherwise stick to their teeth can be washed away.

Schedule a Dental Exam

Preventative dental care is essential this time of year. Through a regular dental hygiene exam, any accumulated plaque and tartar can be professionally removed. This type of appointment also may include a fluoride treatment, which can protect teeth from damage. In the event cavities are already present, they can be treated with a filling immediately so that additional damage does not occur. Keep in mind that preventative dental care is recommended twice per year for children and adults.

While you understandably want your children to enjoy the flavors of the season, you also want to keep them as safe and as healthy as possible. Each of these tips is effective for superior oral health in different ways. For the best results, follow each of these tips throughout the holiday season. They can also benefit your children throughout the rest of the year.