Right now, people all over the world are feeling particularly anxious. We’re living through a health crisis unlike anything the world has ever seen. COVID-19 has infected nearly 2 million people worldwide – including more than 23,000 people right here in Illinois.
This virus has upended our lives, cancelled our plans, and changed many of our daily routines. And for those of us with little kids at home, maintaining “normalcy” is even more challenging. How can you make sure your kids are healthy and feel safe when you don’t have all the answers yourself? The key is structure; if you keep your kids in their routines as much as possible, they just might feel more comfortable amid the chaos.
One routine that you absolutely must keep up is your child’s oral hygiene habits. Dental offices may not be seeing patients right now, but you can make sure your little one’s smile is healthy, strong, and bright throughout this quarantine! Here are a few tips to help:
Practice Those Good Habits
If there’s one good thing that’s come from COVID-19, it’s the ample opportunity we have to spend time with our families. Being stuck at home means spending lots of time with our spouses, partners, and children – and that means there is plenty of time for important lessons in dental hygiene.
Remember, good dental habits always start at home. If you want your children to have beautiful smiles throughout their lives, it’s important to teach them proper brushing and flossing techniques RIGHT NOW! And now that many of us have more time at home, this is the perfect time to fine-tune those skills. Watch your little ones when they brush their teeth and make sure they’re doing it properly for two full minutes.
Eat a Tooth-Friendly Diet
Feeding the kids a healthy, nutritious diet is hard enough on a regular basis. During a quarantine, when mom and dad are stressed out and store shelves are dwindling? It can feel like a tremendous challenge. While it may be easier to let the kids chow down on leftover Halloween candy and fruit juices during this time, it’s important to give them as healthy a diet as possible.
Do your best to avoid sugary or acidic snacks and beverages. These treats can really damage tooth enamel, causing tooth sensitivity and discoloration. Also, try to give the kids lots of fibrous fruits and veggies like apples, celery, and carrots; these can help scrub away surface stains and whiten their smile!
Drink Lots of Water
In addition to eating a healthy diet, kids (and adults) need to be drinking lots of water throughout the day. The reason for this is twofold: drinking water helps remove food particles and bacteria from your teeth, and it makes you feel better overall!
Try to encourage your little ones to drink water between meals, instead of soda or sugary juices. This will keep bacteria from making a home on their teeth and gumlines – which will ultimately prevent cavities in the long run.
Call the Dentist in an Emergency
Sometimes, accidents happen even in the most careful households. Your child may chip a tooth. They could develop a cavity that becomes infected. When these things happen, it can be very uncomfortable for both your kid and you. But luckily, there is help available – even during the COVID-19 quarantine.
Aurora Dental Group will continue to see emergency patients throughout this crisis. If you or your child need urgent dental care, please feel free to call our office. We will do our best to get you the care you need as soon as possible.
