Parental dental tips

Christmas is a time when you can kick back, spend time with your family and enjoy a special treat or two. It is also a time when you may want to give your kids something nice such as chocolate or sweets. However, while this is a nice idea, these surgery treats could lead to the development of cavities and other dental problems. Below is a guide to the steps you can take to reduce the chance that your children will develop cavities as a result of their Christmas celebrations.

Inform the wider family and your friends that you plan to cut down on sugary treats

During the Christmas period, it isn't unusual for family members and friends to visit your home with gifts and treats for your children to enjoy. These treats will often be sugary drinks, sweets and cakes. Turning these gifts down can appear rude, so it is best to contact everyone who might visit in advance and warn them that you are cutting out the sugar this year. However, cutting down on sugary treats doesn't mean you have to miss out on the fun. You can also recommend some alternative treats they can bring instead.

Work out sugar-free alternatives for your normal Christmas treats

Instead of sugary foods, you could instead opt for the following items:

Sugar-free candy

As the name suggests, sugar-free candy does not contain any sugar. Instead, artificial sweeteners are used which will not cause tooth decay.

Salted-popcorn

Rather than serving up bowls of popcorn covered in a sugary toffee syrup, you should opt to add a little salt. While your kids may complain about the first few handfuls, they will soon adapt to the new taste.

Milk

Milk is a great replacement for sugary soda drinks. There are almost seven teaspoons of sugar in every can of Classic Coke, which can have a terrible impact on your kid's dental health. Milk contains high levels of calcium which will help to keep your children's teeth strong.

Maintain a dental hygiene routine

The Christmas holiday is a time when ordinary routines completely stop, with people taking time off from work and school. However, one routine that should remain is your kid's dental hygiene routine. Continuing to brush twice a day over the Christmas period will help to keep your kid's teeth looking great.

If you would like further advice, you should contact a dentist today for more information.