Keep an Oral Healthcare Routine with Your Children Over the Summer

Now thatsummer vacation is here, kids are out of their routines in many areas.Unfortunately, taking care of their teeth and general oral health can take aback seat to all the other fun things going on over the summer. Simply being athome more hours and having more unstructured time can lead to consuming morefoods and drinks filled with sugar. It’s especially important to remain firmabout limiting snacks and to plan for those times you’re away from home.Watching baseball all day, for example, will lead to several trips to the snackbar unless you pack food and bring it with you.

MakeFruits and Vegetables Readily Available

You alreadyknow that fruits and vegetables are healthy, but you might not have consideredhow they benefit the teeth. Vegetables with a high water content, such ascucumbers, melons and pears, are naturally low in sugar. They also require alot of chewing, which helps to keep the mouth clean. Be aware that some fruitshave a high sugar content, including bananas and any type of dried fruit. Yourchild should try to brush his or her teeth as soon as possible after eatingsugary fruit for a snack.

HelpYour Child Stick with a Brushing and Flossing Routine

The schoolyear comes with a lot of routine, so it’s easier to remember to brush and flossteeth at least twice a day. Between vacations, parties, sportingevents and other summer fun, it’s easy to forget to do this once a day letalone twice. No matter where you are, set a time for your son or daughter tobrush and floss. Be sure to stick to this time as closely as possible and tosupervise your kids if necessary. Things will naturally come up to disrupt theschedule but coming back to it every time will help to reinforce itsimportance.

Don’tForget to Visit the Dentist

Ifyour child’s preventive bi-annual appointment falls in the summer, be sure tokeep the appointment. We also recommend that you schedule back-to-school examsas early as possible before school starts, to ensure you get your preferredtime slot. Please contactGreat Lakes Dental at 440-255-3111 at your earliest convenience.