Xmas tips revealed! How your kids can maintain healthy teeth over the holidays

Helping your child maintain healthy teeth during the Christmas period seems like an impossible challenge with all the lollies, chocolates and sweet desserts…oh my!

However neglecting good oral health practices over the holidays can have more of a lasting impact than you think. With more exposure to sugary and acidic foods, children are at a much higher risk for developing tooth damage and decay.

Thankfully there are ways you can be more mindful of both your kids’ and your own dental hygiene during the silly season. Here are four easy tips to ensure you’ll maintain great oral health over Christmas. 

KEEP A CONSISTENT DENTAL ROUTINE

Oral hygiene often tends to slip over the Christmas season as everyday routines are replaced with family catch ups, time away, and the excitement of those new toys your kids refuse to put down. 

Of course a lot of the holidays are centered around food, and it’s likely your little one will be snacking on things they don’t normally eat in their regular diet. 

That’s why it’s important to be even more diligent with their dental habits around this period. No matter where you are, make sure your child brushes twice a day, morning and night, and flosses once daily based on the direction of your paediatric dentist. 

Fluoride is also a necessity for healthy teeth, so check too that you’re using the right toothpaste for your child. Read our guide here. 

BE SMART ABOUT SUGAR INTAKE – EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!

We’re absolutely not here to be the Grinch and tell you to keep your kids away from the sugar at Christmas – hey, we’re excited for some chocolate bars and pavlova too!

However if you want to reduce the chance of cavities then it’s important that you talk to your kids early about eating those special treats in moderation. 

A major contributing factor to tooth decay is the frequency of which we consume foods that are highly sugary or acidic. We’re lucky that our own saliva is one of our most powerful natural defenses against enamel damage (as it helps to wash away food particles in our mouths after we eat), but we have to give it enough time to do its job!

We suggest steering clear of frequent snacking and instead opting to have these types of foods during main meal times. 

Remember too that water is one of your best pals for healthy teeth, so instead of handing over a juice, soft drink or cordial to your kids to wash down their food with, choose a glass of water instead!

OPT FOR SWEETS THAT AREN’T SUPER STICKY

We know some of the most beloved Christmas candies fall under this umbrella and you’re probably hard pressed not to find candy canes, lollipops, or toffees at Nana’s house! But not all lollies are made equal! 

In fact as a general rule the stickier the lolly is, the worse they tend to be for teeth! That’s because these types of sweets leave a sugary residue on the surface of your teeth for much longer periods of time, which then gives the bacteria in your mouth more opportunity to destroy the outer enamel.

If you are going to gift lollies to your kids’ this Christmas, try and find ones that are sugar free and easy to chew! Better yet offer up healthier snack alternatives with things like cheese, yoghurt or carrots with dip.

GIVE THEM TOOTH-FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO CREATE EXCITEMENT 

It can be hard trying to get kids enthused about their oral hygiene, but unwrapping a cool new gadget from the stocking can certainly help!

There are lots of tooth-friendly gifts you can get your little one this Christmas that will help create a sense of fun in their dental routine or educate them on the importance of brushing and flossing. 

We’ll be sharing our top picks of stocking stuffers all this month on our Instagram page, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

• A dental-related picture book, like “Does the Tiger Go to the Dentist?” by Harriet Ziefort
• A toothbrush case with stickers to decorate it with 
• A tooth fairy pillow 
• A new toothbrush in their favourite colour or with their favourite movie character on it!

IT’S POSSIBLE TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY TEETH AT CHRISTMAS

It can be tempting to give your child lots of treats over the holidays, but long term it can wreak havoc on their teeth. After all, you don’t want to be visiting your child’s dentist in January only to find out they have a cavity or two. 

The best ways to minimise risk and protect your kids’ healthy teeth is by remembering these three things:

• Everything in moderation
• Frequency of snacking matters 
• Keeping up a good oral hygiene routine will make a world of difference

Post holidays make sure to book your child in for an appointment with their paediatric dentist to ensure they go into 2022 with happy, healthy teeth. Give us a call on (02) 9188-0202 or book online here.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics and to help begin the conversation with your children’s dentist. It should not be used as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care professional prior to incorporating this as part of your child’s diet or health regimen.