It is finally summer! And while that is exciting news for many kids and parents, one issue that is fairly common during the summer is that kids stop brushing and flossing as often as they should. In this article, we want to provide a few key tips on how you can positively encourage your kids during the summer to stay on top of their dental habits. If you need to make a dental appointment in the Chicago area this summer, please give us a call!
Why Do Kids' Oral Health Decline During The Summer?
During the school year it is easy to keep your kids on a routine schedule because their days are pretty routine. Brushing often happens right before they get on the school bus or get in the car to drive to school. When they get home they brush again after dinner and hopefully floss too. But with summer there are many different distractions that can disrupt their dental habits. First and foremost they no longer have the same routine schedule. Building good habits rely on having routines. While we all enjoy the break from school, not having that daily morning routine can mean accidentally skipping brushing each morning. Additionally, vacations and overnight trips can make it hard to prioritize dental health. But there are few ways we can help our kids take care of their teeth during the summer.
Give your Kids A Brushing & Flossing Schedule
A simple calendar on the bathroom sink can help remind your kids to brush and floss twice a day. Depending on your kids’ ages you might even want to give them stickers to encourage them to fill out their daily brushing and flossing calendar. Seeing a full calendar full of stickers or checkmarks can keep your kids excited about brushing and flossing and help them visualize their healthy habits.
Always Pack Travel Toothbrushes For Summer Trips
Whether you are going to be gone for a weekend or a week you should always make sure to bring travel toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. While it can be tempting to think that missing only a couple days won’t have a large effect on your dental health, it could have a bigger effect on keeping up with your habits. We recommend making sure that your kids have toothbrushes and toothpaste for any trips they take from going camping to just hanging out overnight at a friend’s house.
Family Dental Appointments in Chicago
If you live in the Chicago area, we can help with dental appointments. Give us a call or use our appointment scheduling tool to schedule an appointment for you or a member of your family.
