It doesn't matter whether your kids are home for the summer, the weekend, or Christmas vacation; it is important that your kids keep their oral hygiene intact. However, when they are sleeping late and having fun, brushing and flossing their teeth are not activities that are at the forefront of their minds. Here are a few tips that will help ensure your children keep their beautiful smiles when they're at home:

Tip #1: Put up a Brushing Chart.

Parents are going to be working and kids are going to be sleeping in, which means that morning brushings could be skipped over. Regardless of the children's ages, it may be a good idea to put up a brushing chart so that children can check off when they have brushed their teeth. A reward can be given if the brushing chart is fully checked off at the end of the week (or whatever frequency you would like to set up). This is something that children of all ages can get excited for – the reward will just differ.

Tip #2: Keep Your Kids Active.

One of the worst things when the kids are at home is that they love to sit around playing video games, watching TV, and doing other inactive things. When children are inactive, they tend to eat extra – usually unhealthy – snacks that can lead to tooth decay and sometimes even weight gain. So, when necessary, limit your children's time on electronics to ensure they get up off the couch and get outside in the sun, or at least out from in front of the TV.

Tip #3: Use Mouth Guards During Sporting Events.

If your child is going to be playing sports or you are sending them off to a sports camp, make sure that they have a mouth guard. A mouth guard helps to significantly reduce the risk of a oral-related injury, as it helps to offer stability to the jaw and teeth in the event that a blow to the mouth or face occurs. You can purchase a mouth guard over the counter, but you can also talk to your dentist about getting a custom-fitted mouth guard to ensure that it properly fits your child's mouth.

Tip #4: Provide Your Children with Healthy Options for Snacks.

When your kids are at home, regardless of how many activities they can choose from, they are going to say that they are bored. When kids are bored, they like to scavenge the cabinets and eat. So, make sure that you have plenty of healthy options for snacks for your hungry kiddos. A good idea is to ensure that you have washed fruit in a bowl on the counter and cut-up vegetables in a container in the fridge ready to go.

To learn more about healthy teeth, visit sites like http://westlakesfamilydental.com/.

Share