The holidays are almost here! Is your family excited? This special season may look a little different than usual this year, but it’s still bound to be filled with good times, delicious meals, and lights galore! However, as you and your family enjoy all the fun festivities, don’t forget about keeping those precious smiles healthy! With all the sweets and sugary treats around this time of year, you can easily find yourself with a cavity or a cranky child with a toothache. Read on as your Nashua dentist for children shares seven tips for keeping your loved one’s pearly whites happy and healthy this holiday season!
1.) Keep Up Those Healthy Habits
Whether your family has a long day or late night of celebrating, make sure everyone is taking time for great oral hygiene. Brushing for two minutes twice a day, flossing every day, and rinsing with mouthwash regularly are all essential for preventing a range of issues, including everything from tooth decay to gum disease.
2.) Enjoy Plenty of Smile-Friendly Foods
There are plenty of tasty holiday foods that promote better oral health, including:
- Cheese, yogurt, and other low fat or nonfat daily products.
- Turkey, chicken, and other lean proteins
- Corn, green beans, apples, and other fruits and veggies.
3.) Save Snacking for Mealtimes
How often your child eats is just as important as what they eat! While all-day grazing is a holiday tradition for many families, this supplies a constant stream of fuel for cavity-causing bacteria. Save room for the main course and lower your little one’s risk of tooth decay by holding off on snacking!
4.) Choose Safe Sweets to Indulge In
Cutting out all sweets during the holidays isn’t a realistic goal for most of us. Instead, avoid sticky, sour, and hard treats and choose safer options such as:
- Soft desserts like pumpkin pie, peanut butter cups, and peppermint patties.
- Low-carb treats like baked apples instead of apple pie.
- Dark chocolate without any nuts.
5.) Stay Hydrated for the Holidays
Staying hydrated is important all year long, but it’s especially essential during the holidays. Not only will drinking plenty of water boost your family’s immune system, but it will help wash away any lingering sugars and food particles that would otherwise cause cavities.
6.) Give Gifts That Encourage Better Oral Health
There are plenty of gifts and stocking stuffers that can help your little one get excited about caring for their smile, like:
- A toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character or an electric toothbrush.
- Fun-flavored toothpaste, floss, or mouthwash (that has the ADA Seal of Approval).
- Children’s books on visiting the dentist or losing baby teeth.
7.) Make Time for Routine Checkups
It’s no secret that the holidays are a busy time of year. However, don’t let your child’s biannual checkup fall by the wayside in the hustle and bustle! Even if their teeth look and feel find, your Nashua children’s dentist can detect the earliest warning signs of issues and treat them before they can interrupt your holidays.
Make sure your loved ones’ smile stay happy, healthy, and bright this holiday season with these seven easy but important tips!
About the Practice
At Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’re here to help your son or daughter achieve optimal oral health and maintain it throughout all the seasons of life! Our family-focused office and state-of-the-art technology help us provide all-inclusive, anxiety-free, and long-lasting dental care solutions for children of all ages. While we hope to prevent any oral health issues before they begin, we offer a wide range of specialized services to help your child get the happy, healthy smile they deserve. For more oral health tips for the holidays, we can be contacted online or at (603) 880-5002.