5 Tips To Keep Your Family’s Teeth Healthy During School Breaks

Family Dental Health On VacationWhen children are on a break from school, routines easily go out the window. Kids like to graze and snack making it harder to stick to three square meals a day. When you find yourselves spending more time at home, you can keep your family’s teeth healthy by following five simple steps.

  1. Make Sure Snack Options Are Healthy Ones
  2. Cut Down Access To Sugar
  3. More Time At Home Means More Time To Brush
  4. Make Healthy Teeth A Family Affair
  5. Don’t Forget Those Dental Check-Ups

1. Keep Healthy Snacks On Hand

One of the best ways to avoid tooth decay is to buy and prep snacks that are nutritious and have little sugar. You won’t have to worry as much about increasing cavities when you pack your kitchen with yummy, healthy snacks.

  • · Cheese Cubes
  • · Fresh Fruit
  • · Crunchy Veggies
  • · Rice Cakes
  • · Plain Popcorn
  • · Boiled Eggs
  • · Nuts Or Seeds
  • · Unflavored Milk & Water

2. Cut Out That Sugar Rush

Since sugar can feed the bacteria that weaken your children’s teeth, skip buying sugary drinks like soda pop and candy. Serve dessert at mealtime instead of letting your family have access to sugary snacks throughout the day.

After dessert, encourage everyone to brush teeth right away to scrub away bacteria and plaque that cause tooth decay.

3. Brush Teeth More Often

During busy schooldays, children usually brush teeth in the morning and then after dinner. When the family is at home more, snacking and eating during the day, set a schedule to brush teeth three times a day instead of twice a day.

4. Lead By Example

Children will follow your example, even when you prioritize dental health. Make brushing teeth family time. Gather together in your bathroom with your children, then turn on some music or dance while you brush to make it more fun.

  • Use fluoride toothpaste and brush for two minutes.
  • Floss once a day to make sure no food stays trapped in between your teeth.
  • Help children age 8 and under to brush their teeth.
  • Young children don’t have the ability to reach all areas of their teeth; use floss picks to clean in between their teeth.
  • Children aged 8 to 11 need some supervision to make sure they are brushing their teeth well.

5. Visit Your Dentist

When the kids are out of school, it’s the perfect time to get a dental checkup. Call our office in San Ramon, California, today to make an appointment with Dr. Carol Jin, DDS. Let us take care of your family’s dental health, so you can keep on smiling together.

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