7 Ways to Keep Your Kids' Teeth Healthy Over the Holidays

When you're with family for the holidays, that's when you expect things to get just plain crazy! All those cheeky jokes, winter games, gifts both hilarious and heart-warming, and Grandma's sugar cookies make for a very special time of the year.

What can you do to make the magic last and keep your kids smiling year-round?

Here are some tips for keeping your children's smiles healthy through the holidays:

1. Make Smart Snack Choices

Substitute healthy whole foods in place of processed ones as much as possible. Offer salted nuts rather than salted potato chips. Whole grain wheat bread over white. Carrots and dip rather than pretzels.

Processed and sugary items are quick to turn into fuel for cavity-causing bacteria. Keep these products to a minimum and provide healthier options for your kids.

2. Choose Water

One of the best ways to cut sugar from a kid's diet is to replace popular beverages with plain water. Kids will work up a thirst from the outdoor activities and crave something sweet. Soda, juice, hot cocoa, and sports drinks are easily had, but try to cut the intake by providing water more frequently.

3. Guard Against Sports Activities

Is your child into skating or hockey? Is he or she busy with any other sports-related activities this season? A mouth guard could not only save your kid's teeth, but it will also help cushion the impact to the head if the jaw gets slammed shut.

4. Encourage Flossing and Brushing

All that flossing and brushing hype isn't just about making teeth look good. It's also going to play a critical role in fighting off cavity germs in kids' mouths. Now during the holiday weeks is a great time for kids to boost their oral hygiene game.

5. Reduce Sugar Exposure Time

More important than how much sugar your child eats is how long his or her teeth are exposed to it. Sugars provide fuel for bacteria that produce enamel-eroding acid.

For that reason, eating a lollipop over the course of an hour is worse for teeth than eating three chocolate bars in five minutes!

6. Get Extra Fluoride

To strengthen your little ones' teeth against the onslaught of sugary acid attacks that naturally come with the holiday season, up the fluoride use. Be careful about giving a fluoride product to very small children. Ask our dental team about professional treatments and age-appropriate dental products.

7. Schedule A Dental Visit

Make sure your kids' smiles are camera-ready for the season! It's never too late to schedule that dental checkup. This way, you can be sure your son or daughter is entering the holiday season problem-free.

Houston Pediatric Dental Care

Still looking for that perfect family-friendly dental office?

Look no further than Summit Dental Center. We're standing by to take your call if you have any concerns about your kids' dental health this holiday season.