Are you a busy parent and barely get the time to take great care of your teeth? Read this article to learn useful and effective oral care tips. Being a busy parent, it gets quite challenging to maintain healthy teeth along with your children. Besides having fresh breath and a dazzling smile, your kids will also look up to you and will practice proper dental care themselves. By setting a good example, you can encourage your children to make healthy habits of taking good care of their teeth.
It is incredibly hectic being a parent, and maintaining your own basic care along with your kids’ needs can be quite challenging. Read this article for tips that will help you stay on top of your own and your child’s dental health.
Annual Dental Check-Up
This is quite obvious, but it is still necessary. It is best to visit your dentist at least once a year. If you don’t have a dedicated dentist, you should check this dentist out in worcester. Try to squeeze in some time for the dentist at least once a year. Going to the periodontist or dental surgeon is imperative when you are missing a tooth and have damaged teeth.
If you happen to have problematic tooth issues, the chances are that some of your teeth need to be removed and replaced with a denture or dental implant. Dental implants are preferred more as they look natural and do not create any discomfort.
Moreover, they do not need any extra upkeep and are incredibly durable. In addition, dentures become loose after some time; most people opt for dentures as they are more affordable. Despite being a bit pricier, dental implants are worth every penny as they are easy to install, maintain, feel better, and cause no discomfort like dentures.
Dentists can also suggest effective solutions and can accurately address the conditions of your teeth. By visiting your dentist at least once a year, you can keep up with the maintenance of your gnashers. This will also establish that going to the dentist is not scary, and your children will make less of a fuss during their dentist visits as they will see that you get regular dental checkups as well.
Drink Water, Lots of Water
Visiting the dentist is quite difficult when you have a very busy schedule. Hence to prevent your teeth from deteriorating to dire conditions, it is best to do your best to minimize the depletion of your teeth with a few simple yet effective healthy habits. One of these easy healthy practices is to drink ample amounts of water.
Water not only keeps your entire body on top-notch, but it also helps keep your oral cavity in great condition. Drinking water rinses away the food bits and harmful bacteria. The food bits provide sugar for the bacteria; the bacteria feed on this sugar and form plaques onto your teeth. Water dislodges the film of bacteria and the food debris.
The bacteria also produce detrimental acids that corrode the tooth enamel, leading to the formation of cavities. Moreover, water also reduces the bacteria that are the culprits of bad breath. A hydrated mouth is key to having great teeth and a healthy smile with fresh breath.
A simple glass of water can do so much. The more water you drink, the healthier teeth you will have, and your smile will be brighter. You should drink at least 4 liters or 16 cups of water every day. It is wise to keep a pitcher of water in the fridge. IIf you do not like the taste of plain water, you can add natural flavors like lemon juice, cucumber slices, orange zest, and berries.
It is also a good idea to take water bottles when you are with your kids in the car and on the go. Make sure your kids drink water the first day in the morning, after dinner, and after every snack.
Use a Straw to Drink Sugary Beverages
It is best to avoid sugary drinks at all costs since they cause severe damage to your teeth (and overall health). However, being a busy parent surrounded by kiddie snacks and always rushing about, sugary beverages cannot be avoided and is one of the prime sources of your energy.
So, if you are opting for sugary drinks, the best thing to do is drink the sweet beverages through a straw or opt for sugar substitutes like xylitol or stevia. Drinking through a straw will reduce the potential damage caused by the sugars in the drink.
The straw helps in minimizing the contact of the sweet beverage with the teeth. It is also wise to drink water or rinse your mouth with water after you finish your drink. Besides, straws make it easier to drink.
Floss Picks
All dental experts recommend flossing. Using a thread can be quite messy and also takes time. Your best option is to go for floss picks. Floss picks are portable and incredibly easy to use. They are quite convenient and can fit in between your teeth easily.
Flossing removes the tiny bits of food that are not easy to reach by the brush or hand. These food particles provide sugar to the harmful bacteria that cause plaque, bad breath, and cavities.
Chew Sugar-free Gum
Chewing gum is actually great for your teeth and gums. Sugar-free gums have numerous benefits. They are ideal as they do not contain any sugar, so they will not provide more nutrients for the bad bacteria. The chewing of the gum will help dislodge tiny food particles in the corners that can not be easily reached.
Moreover, it stimulates the flow of saliva. Saliva kills some of the harmful bacteria and neutralizes the acids produced by them. Besides having a minty fresh breath, you also get to have healthier teeth when you are chewing gum.
Better Snack Options
Children and grown-ups alike, everyone loves snacking. It is best to snack on nutritious food like nuts, seeds, cheese, fruits, and veggies for better health and great teeth. It is best to avoid snacking on chips and soft drinks. You can have cubed fruits or fresh fruit juice mixed with sparkling water as a substitute for soft drinks.
Whole wheat crackers, kale chips, and rice cakes are great healthy alternatives to the typical chips. The vitamins and low content of sugar in these munchies slow down the growth of harmful bacteria. Both you and your children can enjoy having these healthy snacks.
You can experiment with themed treats like healthy tree snacks to encourage your kids to pick healthier snacks and add more oomph.
Final Words
Maintaining healthy teeth may seem challenging for busy parents. However, incorporating such healthy yet straightforward practices into you and your children’s lifestyle makes it easy to have great oral health and a dazzling smile for the entire family.
Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.
Thank you provided this excellent teeth tips.
Thank you for sharing these valuable oral care tips for busy parents. It’s important to prioritize dental health for both ourselves and our children, even with hectic schedules. Your suggestions, such as annual dental check-ups, drinking plenty of water, using a straw for sugary beverages, using floss picks, chewing sugar-free gum, and opting for healthier snack options, are practical and helpful.