The holiday season is a time of joy, festivities, and visits with family and friends. As a parent, it is often a struggle to keep your children’s oral health in check amidst the tempting array of candies, cookies, and sugary treats. Our team at Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry is pleased to offer tips to help ensure those pearly whites stay healthy and bright during the holiday season and all year long.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

With the holiday hustle and bustle, it is easy to let oral hygiene routines slip. However, it is important to stay on top of caring for your child’s smile. Encourage regular brushing using age-appropriate amounts of fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Daily flossing is equally important to remove plaque and food particles from those hard-to-clean areas between the teeth. Our team at Smile Explorers Pediatric Dentistry is happy to offer tips and guidance for proper oral hygiene practices.

Moderation Is Key

While indulging in occasional sweet holiday treats is perfectly fine, moderation is key to preventing tooth decay and promoting your little one’s oral health. Stock your home with plenty of healthy snacks and treats, like crunchy fruits and vegetables. Save the holiday desserts for when you are with family or friends. If there is a special event coming up, encourage your child to enjoy treats in moderation and try to limit sugar intake before and after to minimize the risk of tooth decay.

Choose Treats Wisely

Try to opt for sweets that are less harmful to your child’s teeth. For example, dark chocolate has less sugar than many other holiday delights, and it contains compounds that are beneficial to your child. You can also experiment with holiday recipes, giving them a healthy twist. When baking, try to use whole flour instead of white flour, fruits instead of sugar, and applesauce instead of oil. Little recipe changes can make big impacts on young smiles.

Avoid Constant Snacking or Grazing

Rather than allowing your child to snack or graze on holiday treats throughout the day, it is best to limit sugary snacks to mealtimes. That is because saliva production is at its highest during meals, which helps neutralize acids and flush away food particles. By limiting snacking and grazing, you’ll also prevent prolonged exposure to sugar, minimizing potential damage to your child’s smile.

Drink Plenty of Water

Be sure to limit sugary sodas or fruit juices. Instead, encourage your child to drink plenty of water. That helps wash away bacteria and food debris, promoting healthy teeth and bright smiles. Staying hydrated also promotes saliva flow and neutralizes acids, lowering the risk of tooth decay.

Shop for Non-Sugary Stocking Stuffers

Your little one will probably be more excited to receive thoughtful stocking stuffers than mere sugary treats – and so with their smile. Look for small toys, gifts, board games, books, craft supplies, toiletries, and more. Your child will love exploring the exciting stocking stuffers and will not even notice there are no sugary treats.

Preventive Pediatric Dental Care Near Me in Glendale, AZ

One of the best things you can do for your child’s smile is to schedule a pre-holiday dental checkup. Dr. Dave and our dedicated team will ensure your child’s teeth are in excellent shape and offer personalized advice to keep dental disease at bay. We invite you to call us at 623-322-2277 to schedule your child’s appointment today!