Holiday Tooth Brushing

Chances are good that it isn’t toothpaste and floss that are dancing in your children’s head this holiday season. Despite their consumption of sugary treats this time of year, there are actually ways to keep your kids’ teeth and gums healthy!

We all know that sugar is bad for your teeth. But why? According to the ADA (American Dental Association), natural oral bacteria feed on sugar, and the byproduct is acid. This acid can eat away at tooth enamel, which can lead to tooth decay and cavities.

If possible, have your kids brush after eating a sugary snack. If a toothbrush is not available, the next best thing to do is rinse out their mouth with water. It may be difficult to limit the treats but you can have them pick “healthier” dessert items. Limit the hard and chewy candy which are the worst for teeth. Can you believe that cakes and cookies are actually a better option? Try to lay off the soda and juice as well. You can also help the process along by giving your kids sugarless gum which helps produce more saliva to rinse the mouth

And why not try to make it fun? The holidays present a great opportunity to make brushing merry. Get them a special holiday toothbrush and colored floss . . . maybe one they can carry with them while they are out. This may make them a bit more excited to keep up the good dental practices.

Last but not least, if your child has time off from school around the holidays, it would be a great opportunity to schedule their dental cleaning and checkup. We wish you the happiest of holidays. Your family’s dental health is our priority!

(source: Colgate)