10 Tips for Keeping Kids’ Teeth Healthy During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is synonymous with decadence and lusciousness. Sweets are usually at the center of every holiday celebration. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, many dental issues arise in children after the holiday feasting. That is why you should keep your kids’ teeth healthy during and after the holiday season. To do so, here’s what you should know.

Keep the Treats in Moderation

When you and your kids are home, see to it that they consume whole grains, vegetables, lean meats, dairy, and fruits. You and your kids can indulge in all the luscious treats when you attend holiday gatherings.

Prioritize Flossing and Brushing

Make sure that your kids brush their teeth in the morning and before bedtime for a couple of minutes. If you know that your children will be eating lots of sweets that day, tell them to brush their teeth each time they finish eating them.

Use the Right Toothpaste and Mouthwash

Let your children use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. Your pediatric dentist in Fort Worth, TX can help provide you with kid-friendly versions of these products.

Limit Their Sugar Intake

See to it that your kids don’t eat sugary treats all day. It is best to limit their sugar consumption only after meals. Then, tell your kids to brush their teeth right after.

Keep Them From Grazing

Prevent your kids from drinking and eating sweets all day without stopping. This only allows bacteria to work continuously on deteriorating their teeth. Eating sweets in just one sitting is better. Then, tell them to brush after.

Give Holiday Gifts That Are Friendly to Teeth

Some of these gifts are yummy toothpaste, colorful toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, and flavored flossers.

Create Healthier Versions of Recipes They Love

You can keep on serving the traditional recipes that grandma used to make. This time, be sure to make them healthier. Do this by incorporating only half the amount of sugar. Use whole wheat flour instead of regular white flour. You can also use sweet potato, pumpkin, and fruits to add more sweetness and creaminess.

Change What You Serve

If you think your kids are open to new things this season, change the sweets entirely. Serve soft cheeses with some honey and nuts. Make dark chocolate pumpkin pie instead of regular mud pie.

Serve More Water

Teach by example by serving fewer sweet drinks. Drink more water instead. This will motivate your kids to do the same. Water buffers the acids that bacteria produce in your mouth, preventing serious tooth decay.

Schedule a Post-Holiday Dental Checkup

Take your kids to their pediatric dentist in Fort Worth immediately after the holidays are through. This will help provide the professional dental cleaning they need. Sweets will always do a good job at damaging teeth. With thorough cleaning, you can help your kids have healthy teeth after the holiday feastings.

The holiday season presents a lot of temptation that can break your diet and your oral hygiene habits. At Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry, we always encourage our patients to brush and floss daily even when classes end for the season. Please visit our clinic in Fort Worth, Texas, for an in-person consultation. You can also call us at (817) 569-6633 for appointment scheduling or inquiries about holiday dental treatments for kids and adults.