Don’t Let Turkey Day Take A Toll On Your Oral Hygiene

It’s hard to find a child that doesn’t love holidays—especially when there are amazing desserts and we want to help your children avoid tooth decay and other oral problems around the holidays accompany them.

Thanksgiving is one of the most beloved American holidays. All year long people look forward to turkey, stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes, and every type of casserole you can name. Although I’ll be honest, all of the food I just named I dislike. I am not a fan of Thanksgiving food. I know, I know it’s Un-American. However, I do love the desserts that follow the big dinner—the pumpkin pie, chocolate pie, cookies, and anything that contains chocolate. Although I’m not a child, I know that these treats tempt the little ones too and there are ways to keep up good oral hygiene with all these sugary treats around.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, and it is important to teach your child early about the damage that too many sweets can inflict on their teeth and gums and what you can both do to help prevent it.

Oral-B explains that, “every time we eat, bacteria interact with our food to produce acids that attack teeth, leading to decay. The more sugar, the more acid that gets produced, which is why sugary, sticky foods and beverages are more likely to create decay. This is especially true between meals, when the mouth produces less saliva to combat and neutralize the acids, allowing them to do more damage.” Here are some simple ways Oral-B suggests to combat the effects of sugar on your kid’s oral care:

• Save treats like candy, cookies and pies for after mealtime since this is when the amount of saliva produced in the mouth is greater and will therefore better help protect your child’s teeth.
• Dairy acts as a buffer to the acids produced by oral bacteria, decreasing the possibility of tooth decay. So consider serving your children milk or cheese with holiday candies and treats.
• Hard candy can get stuck between kids’ teeth, which can cause cavities. Flossing can help remove the candy particles. Try flossers adorned with your child’s favorite character to help make flossing fun.
• Encourage children to drink more water to help prevent tooth decay. If you choose bottled water, check the label for fluoride content. According to the American Dental Association, fluoridated water can reduce the number of cavities children get in their baby teeth.

If you have any questions about how to keep up good oral hygiene with your children, then give Artistic Touch Dentistry a call and schedule and appointment today!