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Holidays are often the stressful times for our health and especially our teeth.  We tend to feel free to temporarily forget the careful health guidelines and routines we've set up for our families.  And why not?  It’s OK to relax and take a break once in a while, especially on holidays like July 4^th when we are already celebrating our freedom!

But you don’t have to totally abandon care for your teeth in order to have a good time.  Here are three great ideas to keep you smiling this July 4^th weekend.

Eat this not that.

While it can be tempting to go for chips or candy to snack on, try choosing options that are both fun and healthy.  The patriotic parfait pictured is made with plain Greek yogurt which is a dental super food.  And the berries provide just the right amount of sweetness to tame the celebration sweet tooth.  Getting kids involved in making these treats is a sure-fire way to get them excited about eating healthy and can be a great activity to keep little hands busy.  Check out our other healthy holiday snack ideas on our Pinterest page and follow us, too!

Don’t forget the water (for more reasons than you think).

July 4^th often means plenty of time spent outside, whether that’s watching fireworks or enjoying a family kickball game.  Choose water as your number one cooler choice.  It’s better for teeth than sodas and sports drinks and it helps keep you hydrated.  Even more, when you’re out on a picnic and a toothbrush isn’t available, a quick rinse with water after meals can be the next best thing.  Water helps rinse away food particles trapped in teeth and limits the growth of bacteria.

Travelling? Give everyone their own “tooth-care bag”.

Just because you’re away from home doesn't mean that you have to neglect your family’s brushing routine.  Be sure to pack everyone’s toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.  A great way to get small kids excited about brushing while on vacation is to create their very own “tooth-care bag”.  Purchase a fun new toothbrush along with travel-sized toothpaste and floss and use a zippered pencil pouch for each child.  Children also enjoy using craft supplies to decorate their own tooth kit.  You may be surprised when you find them excited and looking forward to brushing time.

As children become more independent, parents often have less direct influence over their child’s oral care. The transition to adolescence means that schedules become more crowded and teens are left with more responsibility in caring for their own teeth.  Too often, this results in first-time cavities and missed opportunities to catch dental issues when they are just beginning and are easiest to treat.  Here are 6 guidelines to make certain your child’s dental care remains a priority through their teenage years.

1. Stock up on dental care supplies.

Teens aren’t likely buying dental supplies yet.  Keep an eye on the supply of toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss in the bathroom and make sure it’s well stocked.  Having the right tools goes a long way in making certain that adolescents keep brushing and flossing.  Plus, who doesn’t love a new toothbrush?

2. Keep your household purchases of sodas and sports drinks to a minimum.

You can’t always control what your teens purchase when they aren’t with you.  But you can make certain that your refrigerator and pantry aren’t well stocked with sugary drinks.  Keeping your own purchase of sodas to a minimum will mean that they are less available when your kids want to grab a quick drink.  And don’t assume that sports drinks are always the best alternative.  They often contain as much sugar as soda and water is generally a better choice.

3. Say “no” to oral piercings.

While not as common as they used to be, many teenagers still want tongue and lip piercings.  We strongly advise against allowing your child to have one, as piercings often cause chipped teeth and other oral issues. Further, your teen’s mouth is still growing and teeth are continuing to shift into place.  Having a foreign object constantly in your teen’s mouth is likely to complicate this natural process .

4. Say “yes” to mouthguards.

As your kids become more involved in sports, so does the chance that they might suffer a hit to the mouth.  More than 200,000 sports-related mouth and jaw injuries occur each year.  The “inconvenience” of wearing a mouthguard for protection can’t compare to the inconvenience (and cost ) of dealing with an accident.

5. Consider an orthodontic consultation.

If your child hasn’t already been a candidate for braces, now may be a good time to see if it’s necessary.  While kids (and adults) get braces at all ages, it’s certainly most common during the teenage years. We can guide you in the right direction and provide advice about your teen’s specific needs.  You may be surprised at the number of options that are now available.

6. Keep an eye on good dental habits.

While your teens are becoming independent, they may still need a reminder to brush and floss regularly. There’s usually no need to constantly remind them or push too hard.  A quick, “Did you brush your teeth?” is often all it takes to keep them on track especially if you started the habits of good oral hygiene when they were younger.

6. Don’t neglect regular checkups.

It can be easy to miss scheduled dental visits with the pace of raising a teenager.  Continue to make regular dental visits a priority and remember that even though adolescents have bigger bodies than they used to, they are still kids.  You’ll need to partner with them in making sure that dental appointments are kept.  Help your teens transition into adulthood knowing that dental care is a priority.

Did you know that the most common chronic disease of children and teens is tooth decay?  Even worse, the CDC reports that nearly 20% of children’s cavities are left untreated.  What may be even more surprising is that nearly all cavities are 100% preventable.  In fact, simply by following these 6 steps, you could help your child enter adulthood without suffering from even a single cavity.

Find a dental home by age one.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends finding a dental home at the emergence of the first tooth or by age one, whichever comes first.  Unfortunately, we see many children whose first visit to the dentist is scheduled because a problem already exists.  Establishing a dental home will help you and your child develop a close relationship with the dentist and begin a pattern of regular visits.

Take advantage of sealants or composite fillings.

Sealants are the most effective, yet most underutilized method of preventing cavities.  Dental sealants involve a temporary, thin plastic coating that is “painted” on the chewing surfaces of teeth which creates a barrier where food often gets trapped.  Composite fillings are sometimes used as an alternative to sealants, but in the same way by filling deep crevices.  The relatively low cost of sealants makes them an obvious choice when compared with the discomfort and higher costs of treating a cavity.

Never put your infant to bed with anything other than water.

Baby bottle tooth decay is pervasive and occurs when liquids such as juice or milk are allowed to coat an infant’s teeth for extended periods of time.  This happens most often during naps or bed time as many children are allowed to fall asleep with a bottle and the natural flow of saliva decreases.  If your child falls asleep with a bottle, be sure that it’s only with water.  Even though baby teeth are temporary, their good health is essential to the proper formation and alignment of emerging adult teeth coming in behind them.

Limit foods that tend to stick to teeth.

Sticky candies like caramel and taffy often stay around for a long time after kids eat them.  But candy isn’t the only food which needs to be limited.  Crackers, potato chips and other starchy foods also tend to get stuck in the nooks and crannies of tooth surfaces.  Without proper brushing, these foods provide sugar to bacteria that feed on it and multiply and attack enamel.  For this reason, these foods should be limited and occasional.  Regular brushing and flossing is essential when these foods are consumed.

Begin good dental habits early.

Oral care can begin even before teeth appear.  Using a soft cloth to clean your baby’s gums can limit bacteria and protect emerging teeth.  Small children should get help with brushing.

Model good dental habits.

One of the most effective ways you can ensure that your children stay cavity free is by modeling good dental habits in front of them.  Do they see you brush?  Are you flossing daily?  Modeling good behaviors will teach your children first hand that you value your own oral health and theirs.

Kids and teens love sports drinks.  In fact, studies have shown that these “thirst quenchers” are consumed by 62% of adolescents every day.  But are they good for your child’s body or teeth? And are they truly necessary for sports performance?  Here are a few facts:

Sports drinks contain more sugar than you may realize.

After water, the second ingredient in some popular brands of sports drinks is high fructose corn syrup. Some sports drinks contain as much as 19 grams of added sugar which means that bacteria present in your child’s mouth are being given exactly what they need to grow.

The high acidity of sports drinks can damage tooth enamel.

A 2012 study showed that sports drinks often have high acidity.  This acid interferes with the mouth’s ability to regulate a healthy pH and can lead to the wearing away of enamel.  While tooth enamel is literally the hardest substance in the human body, it’s no match for a steady stream of acid.

Sports drinks are full of salt.

Some sports drinks contain up to 200 milligrams of sodium per serving.  Keep in mind that a “serving” is usually 8 ounces, which means that a large bottle of the leading sports drink can have more sodium than a bag of potato chips.

Sports drinks can be high in calories.

Even though they generally contain fewer calories than soda, sports drinks can still be high in calories due to their serving sizes and the large amount that many kids drink.  Sports drinks make up 10-15% of the daily caloric intake of most teens and aside from their intended purpose, these beverages aren’t always consumed in conjunction with sports.

Sports drinks are best suited for intense physical activity.

If your child is participating in an intense game with constant movement and an elevated heart rate, a small serving of sports drinks may come in handy from time to time.  But most youth sports don’t involve that level of activity.  Fluoridated water is almost always a better choice.

The bottom line is that most kids don’t really need sports drinks.  Consuming what amounts to sugar water simply isn’t necessary for the majority of sports or outdoor activities.  We encourage you to read labels and be aware of everything your child drinks.  Keep your child hydrated and make certain that you child is drinking plenty of water.