Protect Your Child’s Teeth from Cavities this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time of family, fellowship, and—of course—food, but that indulgence can come with a price if we don’t take the necessary steps to prevent problems that arise from sugary holiday staples. Our League City family dentist sees an influx of patients with issues like cavities this time of year, often stemming from too many sweets and lax adherence to dental hygiene routines. We want all our patients to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday without worrying for their dental health, which is why we’re eager to share our tips for protecting your child’s teeth from cavities during the holidays. At Autumn Family Dentistry, we believe a healthy smile is always in season!
Our League City Dentist’s Tips To Avoid Cavities
During the holidays and beyond, proper dental hygiene is the most effective way to prevent issues like cavities. Brushing, flossing, and regular visits to our League City family dentist will ensure you and your child’s teeth are healthy all year. Given the added stress of sugary treats at Thanksgiving, however, there are additional suggestions that can keep tooth decay at bay. Our League City dentist recommends the following:
Enjoy Sugary Treats in Moderation
It’s hard to avoid the indulgence of candy and other junk food during the holiday season, so if you and your family decide to enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie or a mug of hot cocoa, do so in moderation. If your child is undergoing League City dental braces treatment, it’s especially important to limit the intake of foods that can easily get stuck under wires or between brackets, as this can cause decay and lengthen the time your child will need to wear dental braces.
Avoid Sticky or Hard Sweets, Especially with Dental Braces
Certain sweets, like hard candy, can crack or chip already weakened teeth, and super-sticky candy can pull existing fillings from teeth. And if you or your child have League City dental braces, these items are notorious for dislodging brackets and wires, interfering with your orthodontic treatment and requiring an extra trip to our League City dentist.
Brush and Floss Immediately After Consuming Sweets
Sugar causes damage to your teeth by eating away at the enamel, which can cause decay that requires treatment by our League City family dentist. The longer sugar sits on your teeth, the more likely it is for this damage to occur. It’s important to brush teeth immediately after consuming sugary items in order to remove sugar from the teeth’s surface to keep them strong and healthy. The same goes for flossing, as food can easily become lodged in between teeth, causing similar decay that is more difficult to treat.
Use a Fluoridated Mouthwash
After brushing and flossing teeth, a fluoridated mouthwash can not only help clear any remaining debris, but also strengthen teeth thanks to the added fluoride.
Visit our League City Dentist Regularly
Twice-yearly visits to our League City dentist are the best way to prevent cavities, as professional cleanings and fluoride treatments strengthen and protect you and your family’s teeth.
Our League City Family Dentist Can Prevent and Treat Cavities
While these helpful tips can protect your teeth from decay, sometimes our League City dentist still finds cavities that need to be treated. Thankfully, your child is in good hands with our League City family dentist. Your child’s cavity can be filled in our office with a simple procedure. We begin by applying numbing medicine to the tooth and gums in order to ensure comfort while the dentist uses a small drill to remove the decay from the tooth. Then our League City dentist will fill the tooth to protect it and prevent further issues.
Schedule Your Child’s Cleaning with Our League City Dentist This Holiday Season
If you want to make sure your child’s teeth are strong and healthy after Thanksgiving indulgence, call us today to schedule an appointment. Our beautiful, convenient facilities are located around the Houston area, making it easier than ever for your entire family to maintain beautiful smiles. We look forward to providing you with comprehensive family dentistry!
