How to Protect Your Kids’ Teeth This Easter
After Christmas, Easter is another time of year when many kids are allowed to overindulge in sweet treats. While it’s never a good idea to go overboard on sugar, chocolate eggs and other Easter favourites don’t have to be avoided altogether, as long as kids are taught to be responsible about their oral health and overall health.
If you’re concerned about limiting the damage to your kids’ teeth, read these tips from Mosman 3D Dental to help them avoid tooth decay and emergency dentist trips this Easter.
Enjoy sweet treats after meals
When we eat something sugary, bacteria on the teeth feed on the sugar and release acids that wear down the tooth surface. This is the process of tooth decay that can eventually lead to cavities and other problems.
To limit acid attacks and avoid fillings, encourage your kids to avoid frequent snacking throughout the day. It’s less damaging to have their treats after a meal when their mouth will already be producing saliva to help neutralise the acidity.
Teeth-friendly chocolate alternatives
If you don’t want your kids to have too much chocolate, a fun and healthy alternative that some kids may enjoy could be decorating the shells of hard-boiled eggs before peeling and eating them.
Making sure they also have plenty of calcium-rich foods and drinks like cheese, yoghurt and nuts will also help to remineralise their teeth and support their oral health.
Drink plenty of water
Sugar-filled soft drinks and fruit juices can be as damaging as snacks, so it’s recommended that kids have water as their main drink – especially from the tap, so they get the benefit of fluoride to help protect their teeth.
Sipping water along with chocolate will help to rinse it off their teeth and tongue, so there’ll be less sugar for bacteria to feed on.
Good brushing and flossing habits
Children should be taught to brush their teeth twice a day and floss daily to help set them up for good oral health for life. Younger children will need their parents’ help until they can brush properly on their own, brushing for two minutes and making sure they don’t miss any areas.
It’s important not to brush kids’ teeth too soon after they eat or drink something sugary, as their enamel will be softened by the acids and more prone to damage.
Keep up with your dental visits
It’s recommended that kids see a dentist twice a year to check that their teeth are developing normally and to improve the chances of any problems being caught and treated early. So, if it’s been longer than six months since your child’s last dental visit, contact your dentist to schedule a routine check-up and clean.
If you receive a Medicare payment, your child may be eligible for free dental visits through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). Contact our team to find out more.
Book an appointment with a Mosman dentist
If you or your child are due for a check-up, or if you need to see a dentist for treatment or advice, get in touch with Mosman 3D Dental today. Call (02) 9969 8610 or book online.