Let’s face it: as summer rolls around, most parents are tired from the school year and just trying to keep all the plates spinning to make it to summer. Though it would be easy to let dentist appointments slide and say yes when your daughter asks for her fourth popsicle, we want to encourage you today to make your child’s oral health a priority this summer for you and your children. In this post, we will provide you with four specific ways that you can combat tooth decay and promote your child’s oral health over the next few months.

1- Encourage water as the default.

Water is vital to your child’s well-being. It is difficult to understate the crucial role that water plays not only in dental health but in the body as a whole. This importance only grows in the summer. According to Children’s Health, “Children’s bodies are not as efficient at cooling down as adults, which makes them more prone to dehydration. Their risk of dehydration also increases as temperatures rise. Proper hydration is key to helping your child avoid heat-related illness and health complications.”

For the teeth, water serves a main source of fluoride, a mineral that builds up the teeth against decay. Without enough fluoride, a child’s teeth will be vulnerable to decay. Water also serves in other practical ways, such as rinsing away debris and eliminating dry mouth that could cause cavities. One of the best ways you can look out for your kid’s dental health over the summer is by ensuring they drink plenty of water.

Which also means avoiding other drinks

On the reverse side, as important as it is to give your kids plenty of water over the summer, it’s also important that they’re drinking that instead of other beverages (at least most of the time). Of course, the occasional root beer at a Fourth of July cookout is fine, but that shouldn’t be your child’s everyday routine.

If you’re wondering how bad these drinks could really be, well, we’re glad you asked. VeryWellHealth reports, “A 12-ounce can of Coke contains 39 grams of sugar (about 10 teaspoons), which is more than 80% of the recommended daily intake for a healthy diet.” The sugars and acids in a soda like that start a damaging reaction on your child’s teeth that lasts at least 20 minutes each time they drink a soda.

And sports drinks? You might think that those would be better, but they’re actually worse. As WebMD reports, “These drinks can have as much or more sugar and acid than many sodas and juices.” The moral of the story? Kids need water, and they don’t really need Coke. So have them opt for water this summer, as much as possible. Encourage them to carry a water bottle around with them wherever they go. Let water be the default.

2- Do what it takes to prevent dental emergencies.

            A surefire way to harm dental health is to have a tooth knocked out—easier than you’d think come summertime, considering all the slippery pool decks, tough trampoline springs, and rough-and-tumble soccer games that go on. Kids need to be kids; we’re not suggesting you avoid the pool like the plague or wrap them in bubble wrap so they can never play football again. But especially in the summer, it’s important to remember that dental emergencies can happen. As you and your kids go about summer fun, consider taking extra steps to ensure their teeth are protected. A few practical steps include:

Enforcing the lifeguard’s advice: walk, don’t run.

As Interdent warns, “Be wary of the pool.” It’s not that you can’t enjoy water fun with your kids, but it is the case that slip-n’-slides, waterparks, and slippery pool decks all seem to be open invitations for a cracked or knocked-out tooth. Interdent warns that the main culprits at the pool are “diving into shallow water, running on slippery surfaces or bumping teeth against the pool ledges.” Always keep an eye on your child, and encourage them to be careful themselves. Never let them roughhouse where they could slip.

Giving them a mouthguard.

According to the ADA, “Mouthguard use has been shown to reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries.” If your child is involved in sports over the summer, particularly sports like football or wrestling that come with a high risk of impact, give them a mouthguard to wear. They may not appreciate it, but it is a great way to reduce their risk of winding up with damage to their dental health.

Following braces guidelines.

If your child is old enough to have braces, you know that they may experience discomfort from the wires, or have a band or bracket break. To aid in keeping braces in the best shape possible over the summer, encourage your child to follow all of their orthodontist’s advice. In particular, encourage them to follow the guidelines set out for what food is braces-friendly and what food is not. It may only take one sticky taffy at the fair to give them a broken bracket.

3- Remember that consistency is key.

Over the summer, it can be easy to let ourselves get lax on enforcing the basics of your child’s oral health, like brushing and flossing. Routine is the key. During the school year, it might have seemed easier to make your child—and yourself—stick to a routine. After all, life was flowing in a routine anyway. But over the summer, when those routines are a little more flexible, you may find summer-you just not feeling like going upstairs to make sure that your son really did brush his teeth, or simply forgetting altogether. Or maybe it’s your child who resists the teeth-brushing once his life isn’t as structured as it is August-May.

Whatever the case is for you, know that it’s not abnormal to encounter more difficulty with children and dental hygiene habits over the summer. We encourage you to press on anyway. Don’t neglect the basics of brushing and flossing for your child, because they’re the foundation of your child’s oral health. Even if you encounter resistance from your child, press on. It may be beneficial to set up appointed times in the morning and evening, so your child knows to expect it, every day. Consistency is key.

4- Get those dental appointments out of the way.

               Is it time for your kid’s next cleaning? Do they need to have a cavity filled? Do they need to have a root canal? Or do they need to have braces put on? Whatever the treatment is, there’s no time like the present. The summer is the perfect time to schedule the appointments that have been hanging out at the bottom of your to-do list during the school year.  Particularly if the process is more intense (like getting braces on), summer is the perfect time, as it lets the child recover outside the rigorous routines of school. There’s really no reason to wait. If you would like to schedule an appointment for you or your child, please contact our office.

In the midst of the sticky, sweet treats and slippery pool decks that summer offers, we know it can feel tricky to keep your child’s oral health in good shape. The good news is, we’re here to help. By following these 4 tips, you’ll have made a solid start. If you have any further questions about the subject or would simply like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.