The summer months will be here before you know it. Whether you plan on vacationing in some far-flung location, or just enjoying summertime fun closer to home, remember how important it is to maintain good oral health during the warm months. It’s especially important to keep your kids on track with their oral hygiene during the summer months, when time off from school can also mean that they fall behind a bit with other daily routines. Here are a few helpful reminders to make sure that your family maintains healthy teeth and gums throughout the summer months.
- Schedule dental checkups. Summertime is an excellent time of year to get your kids caught up on their routine dental exams and cleanings. Without school schedules to juggle, it’s easier to convenient appointment times with your dentist. An added bonus: by the time school starts, your kids should have a clean bill of oral health to begin the new school year.
- Invest in new toothbrushes. We should all be exchanging our toothbrushes for new ones every few months. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen as often as it should. Summertime is a great time to encourage your family members to keep up with their oral hygiene routines, and new toothbrushes and other fresh oral health supplies are not-too-subtle reminders to do just that.
- Keep healthy snacks and drinks on hand. When kids are at home during the day, be sure that they have plenty of tooth-friendly snacks and beverages available. Avoid sugar-loaded treats like cookies and candy, and opt instead for fresh fruits and cheese. Sugary sodas are terrible for teeth and gums, so stock up on plenty of bottled water as a healthy alternative.
- Have a “safety talk” with your kids. During the summertime, when many kids spend extra time playing and roughhousing outdoors, it’s especially important to have a “safety talk” with your kids about how to avoid injuries and accidents. Falling down and skinning a knee is typical for most kids, but slipping on pool decks and knocking out a tooth is definitely NOT how you and your little one want to spend part of your summer vacation.
- Prepare for your vacation away from home. If you do plan on travelling with the family, include some emergency dental supplies in with your first aid kit. Include items like a small container with a lid along with some gauze (in case a little tooth falls out at some point during the vacation), and don’t forget to take your dentist’s phone number and email address with you just in case.
By following these simple tips, you and your family can enjoy summer and good oral health at the same time!
