Summer – it’s a wonderful few months of unstructured play, camps, vacations, and family togetherness. It also throws off regular schedules and routines. This may mean different eating schedules, enjoying foods you normally wouldn’t eat, and of course extra snacks. This fun-filled time can be detrimental to maintaining your family’s oral health, unless you plan ahead. Your Ft. Worth dentist offers some helpful tips on caring for your oral health during the summer months.
Schedule Your Children’s Dental Check Ups Early
Instead of waiting until the beginning of school to schedule your child’s dental check up, why not schedule right after school gets out. This ensures that your child’s oral health is up to date prior to any vacations or camps they may be going to.
Ensure Brushing and Flossing Take Place Daily
Your kids may need some reminders to brush and floss regularly during this irregular schedule. During vacations and camps, brushing and flossing may be hard to remember, however it’s important to maintain your home care routines as much as possible during summer months.
Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
With many sports camps and trips to the pool, summer is a time when many dental emergencies can occur. The first thing to remember is not to panic! Your dentist is prepared to handle any emergency that may occur and will make every effort to see you as soon as possible.
If your child breaks or dislodges a tooth, first try and gather the tooth or pieces of tooth and get to dentist as soon as possible. Acting quickly can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.
If you’re managing an injury to the gums or soft tissues, first try to contain and stop the bleeding with a cold compress or warm salt water rinses if possible. Again contact your dental provider as soon as possible for further instruction.
Promote Healthy Snacking
While it may be hard to limit snacking during the summer months with the kids home all day, one thing you can do is monitor the type of snacks they’re eating. Stocking the fridge with healthy fruits and vegetables will help kids avoid sugary or starchy snacks, which promote tooth decay and cavities.
At Summer Creek Dentistry, Dr. Jasmine Coleman provides exceptional family dentistry in Fort Worth. She welcomes patients of all ages to the practice, but as a mom herself she understands how chaotic the summer months can be. Dr. Coleman offers advanced services for children such as fluoride treatments and dental sealants, so contact our office today to schedule your child’s next appointment.