Reviews
It goes without saying that since the COVID-19 crisis began, everyone’s routine has been disrupted. Many people are staying home all day, so it’s been more difficult for families to stick to their usual healthy habits. Unfortunately, that increases the risk for oral health problems (now and down the road), and no one wants to see their child need major dental work from a dentist in Medford. So how can you keep their smile healthy? Keep reading for 3 easy and effective tips!
1. Limit the Frequency and Amount of Sugar
Sugar is hidden in everything these days, including things like yogurt, breakfast cereals, granola bars, and more. Unfortunately, every time a child has a bite or sip of something with sugar, the bacteria in their mouth produce acid that causes cavities. Use these tips to minimize the impact of sugar:
- It may not be realistic to give up snacking entirely, so keep low or no-sugar options around like hard-boiled eggs, unsweetened apple sauce with cinnamon, lunch meat, cheese, plain (sugar-free) yogurt with fresh fruit and nuts, and guacamole. Make things like soda, juice, dried fruit, or candy an occasional treat only.
- As a reminder to discourage frequent snacking, remember the phrase, “Sip all day, get decay. ” Sipping or grazing on sweet foods and beverages is a recipe for getting cavities because it leads to frequent acid production that wears away at the enamel. Instead of giving kids something sugary as a snack, only include it with meals.
2. Brush and Floss Together
If your family has been struggling with their oral hygiene habits during quarantine, try heading into the bathroom with them to brush and floss together. Setting an example is the #1 way to instill good habits, not to mention that you’ll keep your own smile healthier as well.
3. Use Apps and Games To Make It Fun
There are countless apps on your phone or tablet that make it fun for kids to brush and floss and motivate them to stay consistent. Since the structure of the school day has been lost with COVID-19, apps and other games can be especially helpful.
Whether it’s playing a song for 2 minutes to time their brushing, or an interactive game that assigns them points every time they brush and floss, these simple tools can be a great way to encourage kids to keep up with their oral hygiene.
On a final note, while dental offices are only open for emergencies right now, be sure to schedule a checkup for everyone in the family when they reopen for routine care. This is the best way to find cavities and other issues early on when they’re simpler and easier to treat.
COVID-19 has been challenging on many levels, but with these 3 tips, you’ll help your child get through this time without losing their healthy smile.
About the Author
Dr. Michael DeSivo is a family dentist in Medford who enjoys giving back to his community by partnering with programs such as Give Kids a Smile. He’s dedicated to helping families get through COVID-19 with good oral health and loves working with patients of all ages. If you’d like to know more about dental health for kids or have any questions, he can be reached via his website.