Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County: Don't Forget about your Child's Oral Hygiene this Holiday Season!

This holiday season your child will probably indulge in a variety of sugary treats. However, don’t forget about the importance of your child’s oral hygiene. The holidays could distract your mind from your child’s daily routine. Philly.com has great tips for helping your child keep up healthy habits during the holiday season.

Make sure your child brushes his teeth twice a day. You should always help your child making sure all areas in the mouth are properly cleaned. When a child is able to tie his own shoes, he will not need supervision to brush.
Get your child into the spirit of brushing his teeth. A toothbrush with is favorite characters make a great stocking stuffer!
Too much exposure to sugar can coat your child’s teeth. Eating a candy cane throughout the day is worse than eating a sugary snack for a couple of minutes. Even soft drinks and juice create a layer over your child’s teeth. It is extremely important to enforce brushing twice a day, especially at this time of year.
The best cheeses for your child are Swiss and mozzarella. They act as a great snack because they neutralize any acids that are bad for teeth.
Brushing and flossing are the most important ways to maintain oral hygiene but you can teach your child other effective ways to keep his mouth clean. Gum with no sugar, like xylitol, helps the flow of saliva, a natural cleaner of the mouth. Swishing around water can get out any food stuck in the teeth.
Regular visits are extremely important. They give your child a thorough cleaning as well as prevent any issues like tooth decay. Your child’s first visit should be before his first birthday.

Don’t let the holidays get the best of your child’s teeth! Remember to maintain a daily routine to keep your child’s teeth pearly white.Set up an appointment with Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County I & II to start the New Year off in the right direction. For more information, visit us at www.supermolar.com.