Securing your kids’ teeth and gums is a difficult job all around the year! But during the winter, oral care and safety for kids involve finding the correct balance between the fun of a snow day and the distinct needs for mouth care. But don’t worry! If your kid is suffering from any dental issues, pediatric dentists are present to treat your child! Here are a few ways to maintain your kid’s teeth and gums throughout the cold season.
1. Keep Your Kid Hydrated
Water isn’t something that you should consume a lot only during summers. If your kid or kids enjoy playing a winter sport, they generally face the risk of becoming dehydrated. According to the kid’s dentist, children are more likely to face dehydration than adults do. This is because they weigh less to start with and even they don’t realize when they are thirsty. Your child might also become dehydrated if he/she has caught the flu or cold.
It should be the parents’ main priority to make your child drink enough water during the cold season, even if they hesitate. Try to offer them water every 10 or 15 minutes. You can also let your children drink tap water as it has some added benefits: It may contain fluoride, which can help guard their teeth against cavities and any kind of decay.
2. Safeguard Their Teeth
If your kid enjoys playing winter sports or loves the ski slopes, it is crucial to wear some protection from injuries. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the reason is that physical damage during sports contributes to 10 and 39 percent of dental injuries in kids. Make your child wear protection, such as a mouthguard or face mask, while playing.
3. Encourage Good Oral Habits
To protect your child’s oral health during winter, it is necessary to practice proper dental habits.
- Make them brush twice daily but with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss at least once a day and especially when your kid is suffering from a cold or flu. Their immune system is busy fighting cold or flu virus and needs all the help it can get.
- A good antibacterial mouthwash can help your kid get away from bad breath.
- Using fluoridated toothpaste can help avoid decay.
- Discuss with your children, the benefits of maintaining the right dental care and make sure they implement them religiously into their regimen.
4. Limit their sugary foods and drinks!
When your kid is suffering from a bad cough or sore throat, it’s pretty natural to give him a cough drop for some relief. Even during winters, to fight the cold, they generally opt for chocolate shakes or sweet juices. But all these can bring bad news for your kid’s teeth. This is because they usually contain a good deal of sugar, which may result in cavities and decay.
Solution: You can offer your kids sugar-free cough drops and dark chocolate as they contain less sugar. Water is always a better substitute instead of juice, helping to rehydrate them simultaneously.
Get Help!
Your kids deserve the best. So you can get in touch with Spanaway Children’s Dentistry to get oral care tips for your kid. Our pediatric dentist in Spanaway, WA, is staffed with an experienced team. They are ready to help you make the best choice about your kid’s dental health. We are just a call away.
