Of all the New Years Resolutions you heard about for 2022, keeping your teeth nice and healthy was probably not one of them. That is, unless you have a dentist in the family đ
Most people believe having healthy teeth is simply just brushing twice a day, flossing and getting a checkup every 6 months.
For parents and kids alike, that isnât always the case. Even the most diligent children who brush and floss frequently have a slip up and can develop a cavity, which requires a filling that can be unpleasant but necessary.
Here are some tips and habits to maintain healthy smiles. And always remember, if that perfect smile needs extra help, whether youâre a child or parent, traditional braces or Invisalign clear aligners can be done at Adaven Childrenâs Dentistry & Orthodontics and affordable payment plans are available!
- Drink more water
One of the easiest ways to prevent plaque buildup is to drink water. H20 can wash away food and bacteria from our teeth that can lead to cavities. Sugary sports drinks or sodas taste great, but the sugar gets left behind and the longer it sits in your mouth, the more damage it does.
Of course the best preventive measure to take is replacing those drinks with water, which is good for your mouth and your body! Not saying you can never have them but when you do indulge in a sugary drink do your best to follow it up with lots of water.
- Not just candy causes cavities
The assumption is that candy, chocolate and other sweets are the prime suspects for cavity creation. In reality, there are plenty of other foods that can be the culprit.
Acidic foods high in Vitamin C like oranges, strawberries, pickles and grapefruit can eat away at your enamel and bother your gums when consumed in large quantities. Everything in moderation.
While we would never suggest avoiding delicious mandarin oranges or fresh-picked strawberries, itâs just important to drink a nice glass of water or brush your teeth afterward.
- Healthy snacks
No one ever said good habits were easy! While not the most popular of snack options for children, choosing crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots and celery can have huge benefits. They almost act like another toothbrush as they graze the surface with every bite to clean the teeth. Feel free to add in natural or sugar-free peanut butter or other healthy dips if you need an incentive.
One of kids favorite snacks are crackers, goldfish and others alike. These are commonly seen as cavity builders as they tend to stick to those deep grooves. It might not be realistic to cut these delicious and convenient snacks out, if you do give them to your child make sure they drink lots of water after and/or during.
Other healthy snacks like cheese, nuts and yogurt (keep an eye on sugar levels, though) have good nutrients like calcium and phosphorus.
- Do the best you can
Some days, itâs just plain impossible to follow any or all healthy teeth habits. We get it.
But the key is to build up these habits and it will pay off (literally and figuratively) in the long run. If there is anything you take from this blog it should be, âmake it a habit to drink lots of water!â As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our office and we hope you find this helpful!
