Are you ready for your kids to be home for summer break? While we know this is a fun time for families, this can also mean a higher cavity risk due to kids becoming lax in their oral hygiene routines. But we have a few tips for helping protect smiles all summer long! In today’s blog, Dr. James Stewart, DDS, PC, talks about children’s dentistry in Livonia, MI.
Summertime and Cavity Risks
How does the summer endanger little smiles? Well, as kids start to stay up later and sleep in, they can become lax in their normal routines. Often, brushing and flossing are the first to go! The risk of tooth decay then elevates significantly, and the propensity to snack more on items high in sugar and starch, such as candy, chips, sodas, and energy drinks, only accelerates this risk. But there are a few helpful changes you can all make to protect smiles young and old from tooth decay during the summer.
Helping with Brushing and Flossing Habits
One major way to safeguard all smiles is by being firm with your oral hygiene routine, even when you hit the road for your vacation! Make sure you and your kids always start the day by brushing your teeth for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush that has soft bristles. You also need to do the same in the evening before you go to bed. Don’t eat or drink anything after your rush either!
All ages need to floss before they brush that second time too, as this helps remove the trapped food and drink particles that could contribute to tooth decay and gingivitis. These actions are essential for healthy smiles.
Checkups and Cleanings
Brushing and flossing, and cutting out sugar and starch when possible, can help protect your smile and your overall health. But this is also a great time to schedule your routine checkup and cleaning visit. A visit now means you don’t have to worry about kids missing school and falling behind, and we can also offer necessary care without impacting their extracurricular activities. With a checkup, we can examine the smile and catch problems in the early stages, treating them before they threaten smile stability. We also clean the teeth, which removes the harmful plaque and tartar coating the smile to lower the risk of tooth decay and periodontal concerns.
If you have any questions about children’s dentistry, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you all enjoy a healthy and strong smile this summer!
Schedule Your Child’s Next Visit With Dr. Stewart, DDS
Our team wants to help fight cavities and more during their break. To learn more about how to protect children’s smiles from cavities, call Dr. Stewart, D.D.S., P.C. in Livonia, MI at 734-425-4400.