As summertime arrives, your child is probably really excited to enjoy some much-needed time away from school. It’s easy for them to get sidetracked away from good oral health practices, so it’s important you help them maintain a healthy smile. We’re sharing a few tips for you to follow this summer:

  1. Maintain a regular oral hygiene routine.

Schooltime helps your child follow a regular routine. So during summer vacation, even though they don’t have this same schedule, make sure they keep up with their oral hygiene behaviors. It’s easy for plaque and bacteria to build up on their teeth without regular brushing and flossing.

Whether you are spending time at home or on vacation, add their teeth brushing routine to their regular daily habits. It could be right before breakfast or after they make their bed. You may want to use a sticker chart so they can keep track of this habit. Maybe reward them after the end of 30 days of daily brushing.

  1. Feed them healthy snacks.

Summer is the season of popsicles and ice cream! However, avoid overdoing it too much. Make sure your child has plenty of healthy snacks on hand. Too much sugar can erode the enamel and encourage the development of cavities.

You may want to ensure that snacks like cheese sticks, chopped vegetables, and sliced fruit are readily available for them. Bring any with you if you visit the park or other places.

  1. Replace sugary drinks with water.

Another source of sugar is in sweet beverages! Replace sugary drinks with water. Water washes away food particles and bacteria. It’s one of the ways your mouth stays healthy!

Have your child choose a fun water bottle they can take with them when they play outside or do sports. Don’t forget to drink water yourself too! 

  1. Wear a mouthguard.

If your child plays sports during the summer, make sure they have a mouthguard. A custom-fit mouthguard will protect their teeth, tongue, lips, and cheeks from injury. 

It isn’t always easy to have a child wear a mouthguard. So while you watch sports games, point out the players wearing one. Make sure they know how important it is to prevent injury. 

  1. Schedule a dental checkup before school starts.

Before the summer ends, make sure you bring your child in for a checkup. We’ll thoroughly clean their teeth and gums and make sure there isn’t any oral health issue that cropped up.

Make sure to get yours too! Being a good example is a great way to teach a child. Summertime is a fun time of year but comes with oral health risks. By following these tips, you ensure good oral health practices it ensures a healthy smile all year long.

Call North Oaks Dental at 248-712-1522 (Royal Oak) 248-963-1969 (New Hudson) today or request an appointment online.