Keep Your Kids’ Teeth Healthy This Summer!

With all the hustle and bustle of kids’ busy schedules during the school year, it can be hard to find time to fit in a trip to the dentist. As the school year comes to a close and the lazy days of summer begin, now is a great time to schedule your kids’ routine checkups and cleanings!

At BDS, we offer caring dental services for kids of all ages. From our friendly hygienists to our experienced pediatric dentist, Dr. Ghattas, you can be sure your kids get all the care they need in one convenient location.

No matter what time of year it is, routine dental checkups and cleanings are one of the best ways to protect the health of your kid’s teeth, but here are some other ways to ensure their teeth stay healthy as they enjoy their summer vacations!

1. Keep Up Their Home Dental Care Routines!
   Summer can mean new or changed schedules which can disrupt kids’ normal dental care routine. No matter where the summer takes them, it’s important to remind kids to brush twice daily for at least two minutes per brushing, floss at least once a day and swish with an alcohol-free mouth rinse nightly.
2. Choose Tooth-Friendly Summer Snacks!
   The leisurely days of summer often means increased opportunities for snacking. Encourage your kids to choose snacks that promote tooth health, like veggies and hummus, fresh fruits and berries, and every kid’s favorite: cheese sticks! Limiting kids’ consumption of sugary summer treats, like ice cream and cotton candy, protects their teeth from developing tooth decay.
3. Keep Them Hydrated!
   While summery drinks like lemonade and sweet iced tea are fine in moderation, the best summer drink is water! Not only does water help keep kids hydrated on hot, sunny days, it also helps maintain saliva production. The production of saliva is essential for oral health as it helps wash away bacteria and neutralizes acid in the mouth.
4. Protect Their Teeth on the Field!
   Rough play or inadvertent accidents on the field that damage teeth or other soft tissue in the mouth account for more than 20% of all kids’ sports-related injuries. If your kids are involved in summer sports activities, you can protect their bright smiles by having them wear a mouthguard. BDS offers comfortable, custom-fitted mouthguards that are created right in our office using our advanced digital dentistry and 3D printing technologies.
5. Take a Day Trip to the Dentist!
   At BDS, you can schedule family-friendly appointments where everyone in your family can get the dental care they need in one convenient visit, at one convenient location. A single family-friendly appointment means less time making multiple trips to the dentist and more time to enjoy fun summer activities.

You can be sure that your kids’ teeth are protected over the summer by taking simple steps like maintaining a regular oral health routine; offering tooth friendly snacks and beverages; having them use a mouthguard on the playing field; and most importantly, making a summertime visit to the dentist for routine dental checkups and cleanings!

Visit BDS as a family this summer! Call our office today to schedule your next family-friendly dental care appointment!