Safeguarding your kids’ teeth and gums is a tough job all around the year! But in the winter, oral care and safety for kids implies finding the proper balance between the fun of a snow day and the specific needs of mouth care. But don’t worry if your kid is suffering from any oral issues, as we have the best Pediatric Dentists, in Gilbert, AZ, where you kid can get the best care! Here are some ways to maintain your child’s teeth and gums throughout the cold season.
• Keep Your Kid Hydrated
Water isn’t just something you should intake a lot only during summers. If your children enjoy playing a winter sport, they usually face the risk of becoming dehydrated. According to our Kid’s Dentist, children are more prone to dehydration than adults because they weigh less to start with and they don’t even realize when they are thirsty. Your kid might also become dehydrated if he/she has caught the flu or a nasty cold.
It should be the parents’ first priority to make your kid drinks enough water during the cold season, even if they hesitate to! Keep offering them water every 10 or 15 minutes. You can also let your kids drink tap water as it has an added benefit: It may contain fluoride, which can help shield their teeth from cavities and decay.
- Safeguard Their Teeth
If your child enjoys winter sports or loves the ski slopes, it is essential to wear some protection from injuries. This is because physical damage during sports contributes to 10 and 39 percent of dental injuries in kids, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Make your kid wear protection, like a mouth-guard or face mask, while playing.
- Encourage Good Oral Habits
To protect your child’s dental health in the winter, it is essential to practice proper dental habits. Make them brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss at least once a day especially when your kid is suffering from cold or flu. The immune system is busy battling the cold or flu virus and requires all the help it can get. A good antibacterial mouthwash can help them get away from bad breath. Using fluoridated toothpaste can help prevent decay. Discuss with your kids about the advantages of maintaining proper oral care and make sure they include them religiously into their regimen.
- Limit their sugary foods and drinks!
When your child is suffering from bad cough or sore throat, it’s quite normal to give him a cough drop for some relief. Even during winters, to fight the cold, they usually opt for chocolate shakes or sweet juices. But all these can bring bad news for your child’s teeth because they generally contain a good deal of sugar, which results in cavities and decay. Solution: You can give your kids sugar-free cough drops and dark chocolate as they contain less sugar. Water is always a better substitute for juice, helping to rehydrate them simultaneously.
