You might've had enough of the summer heat, but there's still some long days full of sunshine ahead. As the carefree summer days wind down and your kids start thinking about school and athletics and all the fun of going back to school all over again, we thought we'd pass along a few tips to help keep your family's oral health in top shape. Keep these tips in mind as you squeeze in your last pool parties, BBQs, and get-togethers:
Choose Healthier Foods and Snacks Low in Sugar
With any luck, you've eaten your fair share of BBQ-slathered, propane- or charcoal-kissed delicacies this summer, but it time to start reining it in and thinking about healthier options. Your teeth are begging you. For your next cookout, consider choosing a mustard-based marinade over a sugar-rich BBQ sauce, for example.
Many kids are also quick to grab a popsicle or ice cream sandwich as a snack in the sweltering heat. As a result, it's wise to plan ahead and offer healthier options for snacks. Try cold celery with a dab of peanut butter to keep kids cool and energized without the sugar crash.
Choose Healthier Drink Options
When it's hot outside, there's nothing like a cold drink when it's time to cool down. We've said it many times on our blog, but it's worth repeating again: avoid sodas, energy drinks, and sugary sports drinks when it's hot outside. Not only will many of these drinks wreak havoc on your poor teeth, but energy drinks and sodas are not meant to rehydrate you or replace needed fluids when you're sweating in excess. Sports drinks may replace electrolytes, but usually at the expense of adding a lot of sugar for flavoring. When it comes to cooling down on the scorching days at the end of summer, nothing beats plain old water.
Make a New Toothbrush Part of Your Back to School Shopping
This season, when you're getting the kids notebooks, new shoes, and pencils, stop by the aisle where they keep the toothbrushes. Take a minute to reinforce how long your kids should be brushing twice a day (2-3 minutes). Then, let your kid pick out their own new toothbrush. Communicating clear expectations and allowing them to choose their most important oral hygiene tool may help them feel more invested in their own oral health this school year. And, don't forget the floss.
Thanks for Reading!
For those of you preparing for it, good luck this upcoming school year. Keep your family's oral health a priority and schedule regular cleanings and exams. If you enjoy our blog, please consider dropping by and liking our Facebook page to see our posts in your timeline.