Picture this—You find yourself trying to endure a long day of work, so you decide to check the family cameras to see how the kids are doing. You zoom in on the camera and find a little one climbing up to the family Halloween stash. Shoot. You can already see the cavities forming.
One of the hardest things to manage with a child’s oral health is their sugar intake. Sugar, though very appetizing, can quickly become harmful and costly while managing your child’s health. Here’s a simple way to explain to your children about the harms of sugar and how to create a family plan to help your child.
Explaining Healthy Teeth to Kids
While you are helping kids brush their teeth, take a few seconds to help them understand the purpose of the procedure. One way that you can phrase it is that teeth need extra protection, similar to shoes while you are walking. Toothpaste is a liquid barrier to prevent damage, while flossing helps to clean out food that can make your teeth hurt.
A great way to help your child understand the importance of personal dental care is to take them to the dentist at least twice a year. Many parents find that the help of another adult and taking them to the fancy-looking office helps kids understand the importance of this day-to-day habit.
Sugar-Fighting Tricks
This next step might prove a bit more difficult, but we’re here to help. These are a few techniques that help parents establish a healthy lifestyle for their kids.
Dr. Rath comes highly trained with experience in providing care for kids, even down to infant care (as soon as they grow in their first tooth). If you need any additional advice or guidance, our dental team is happy to take your call and help you along the way.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Despite your best efforts, kids can easily find their way to sneak into treats. One tip that might help is to place any junk food in a separate cabinet away from the kitchen. The higher the cabinet is, the less likely it is for your child to notice.
Being Intentional with Food
Some parents may think to try to ban sugar or sweets altogether. While the intention behind this is very admirable, it may not cause your child to find ways to eat sugary food elsewhere or eat too much sugary food when they do get it. One way to find a middle ground in this area is to intentionally pull out sugar during special occasions or once a day after school or dinner.
If this is done enough, your child will develop a healthy relationship with food that will serve them well for the rest of their life. One of the best ways to teach children is through example.
You can also watch out for recommendations for sugar intake. Keep your meals and treats under the recommended sugar intake for children.
Create Rewards Other Than Food
An indirect way to cause too much of an attachment to sugar is by relying on food as a reward. For example, let’s say your child is having a hard time being nice to a sibling. If it comes down to using a reward to stop the behavior, maybe try offering a trip to the park instead of an ice cream cone. Reinforcing healthy choices can greatly help developing minds.
Need A Backup Plan? Try Dental Sealants
Not all pediatric teeth are created equal. Some kids may find that their teeth may be a little bit more weak to junk food than others. Children with developmental disorders may also have a hard time easing off junk food, adding an extra challenge to the sugar-fighting strategy.
In these cases, we often recommend dental sealants which help protect against cavities. Dental sealants use a composite resin to add an extra barrier to protect your smile.
Protect Your Child’s Smile With Pediatric Treatment
Dr. Rath and our experienced dental team are ready to help fight against tooth decay for you and your family. Call our office in Billings, MT to get started on pediatric treatment today!
