This is the time of year when adults and children alike indulge in holiday sweets such as Christmas cookies and candy canes. Many parents try to keep sugar to a minimum, but you don’t have to hide all of the candy from your kids. You can use these three tips from our family dentist to avoid tooth decay over the holidays:
1. Consistent Dental Hygiene Habits
You can prevent cavities from forming all year round by instilling good dental hygiene habits in your children. Kids learn by example so be sure you (and your children) brush twice a day, floss before bed and rinse with water or mouthwash after meals.
2. Schedule a Dental Exam and Cleaning
With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas, Hanukkah and other religious holidays quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to schedule a dental exam and cleaning for your child. Our dentist recommends six-month cleanings to maintain good oral health. It’s also important for adults to have bi-annual cleanings, especially if you have gum disease or are diabetic.
3. Stock Up on the “Good” Kind of Holiday Candy
There are a few types of candy that are better for the teeth than others including:
- Dark chocolate (70-85%)
- Sugarless candy and gum
- Candy with nuts
Unfortunately, some kids are allergic to nuts, don’t like the taste of dark chocolate or prefer real sugar. Any form of candy in excess is bad so you can let your children splurge now and then, but encourage them to brush their teeth after eating holiday sweets.
In contrast, these three types of candy are considered the worst for dental health:
- Sticky candy such as Tootsie Rolls
- Suckers and lollipops
- Gummy worms
Schedule your child’s dental exam and cleaning at Warr Dental in Salt Lake City today at (801) 216-3713. Our family dentist serves patients in Salt Lake City, Midvale, West Jordan and surrounding areas of Utah.
