The Scoop on Sugar
Today’s parents are more informed and more involved in their children’s healthcare than any generation before. With the internet at our disposal we are able to stay current. We take our children to the Pediatrician on a regular basis. We teach them to brush their teeth and try to keep their meals healthy. Would it surprise you to hear that our children are getting more cavities than we did? And that they are getting them at a younger age?
Most parents are aware of the importance of dental hygiene and have been trying to teach their children to brush twice a day and visit the dentist regularly. So what can be causing this surge of new decay in the younger kids?
Sippy cups and sugary drinks
While most parents are aware of the dangers of putting kids to bed with the bottle few think of the dangers of sugary juices in sippy cups. Do not allow your child to drink anything but water in their sippy cups. Juice should only be drunk at the table from a cup and should be finished quickly.
Sugary Snacks
The more frequently children snack the more likely they are to end up with cavities. Limit the number of times your children snack. Munching and grazing all day will lead to more decay in the long run. Try to encourage sliced fruits, cut up vegetables and whole grains for snack time.
Sugar does not equal candy
Unfortunately, most manufacturers are adding more and more sugar to their products. Do not believe what you read on front of the product. Many low sugar products have simply swapped one kind of sugar for another. Become your child’s best advocate. Read labels, remember the first ingredient is the most important ingredient and it should not be sugar!
Special treats
Spring is here and you know what that means: soon the Easter bunny will be hopping about leaving candy and goodies for the kids. What’s a parent to do? Let them eat candy! Let them have their day and enjoy their goodies. Make sure you get an extra brushing in there. Then talk to them about donating the rest of the candy. Operation gratitude is a wonderful organization that sends candy overseas to our troops. Make the kids feel good about helping out someone else.
Don’t forget the flossing!
Yes, you have been brushing their teeth since they were very little but did you know you should start flossing as soon as the teeth start touching? For some kids that is as early as age one!
Visit your pediatric dentist
Pediatric dentists are all about prevention. Depending on your child’s age and dental development they will discuss the best ways to keep those pearly whites healthy. They may be called baby teeth but those teeth will stay with your kids until they are 12 or older. So it is important to take care of them and give your child the gift of a healthy smile!