Children's Dental Tips: How to Prevent Christmas Cavities
The Christmas season is one of the most celebrated, exciting times in the life of a child. With all of the holiday magic that surrounds the season, it is natural to allow children to indulge on some of their favorite treats. However, this fun time of year can also enhance the concern for tooth decay in your child. The following are some things you can do to help prevent any additional cavities in your little one's teeth this Christmas.
Try to Avoid Sticky Foods
Some of the best Christmas goodies tend to be sticky, and this can be problematic for your child's teeth. Things like caramel, taffy, marshmallow, and other holiday treats can linger on the teeth by getting stuck in between the teeth and inside the molars. This can also be hard to get to with a regular toothbrush.
Go Easy on the Hard Candy
Hard candy often goes hand in hand with the Christmas celebration, but it can prove damaging to teeth. Hard candy is kept in the mouth for a long period of time before it is finally dissolved. This means that the teeth are exposed to sugar for a while, and this can expedite tooth decay. While a candy cane is okay once in a while, try to limit hard candy as much as possible.
Take In Water
Water should be taken in every single day, but it especially important during a major holiday celebration. This time of year, many people are spending a lot of time making holiday treats and delectable foods. While they are delicious, they can do a number on the teeth. By drinking extra water, you are flushing away some of the bad things that can get stuck on the teeth and cause decay. Water will also help fill you up so that you are not overly tempted at the Christmas buffet table.
Along with these tips, it is crucial that your children practice good oral hygiene during the holidays. It is imperative that they brush and floss daily all year long, but as their parent you may want to go behind them and help them brush. This will ensure that all of the sticky residue and other decay-causing items are gone. You may also want to have your children rinse with a child-friendly mouthwash to remove even more bacteria from the mouth. If there is a cause for concern, such as a noticeable cavity, or if your child begins complaining of a toothache, be sure to get to a dentistry such as Paul G. Isler Dental as soon as you can in order to solve the problem quickly.