As a parent, it can be challenging to keep your little ones away from sweets at all times. While restricting dessert entirely is a tall order, there are ways to promote excellent dental care habits and reduce the risk of cavities when indulging. Here are a few tips to help you maintain your youngsters’ smiles and sugar intake.

4 Way to Balance Your Kid’s Dental Care & Sweets

1. Switch to Sugar-Free Candy

Sticky sweets, like caramel, gummies, and sour candies, will linger on teeth longer than hard varieties. Stubborn sugars will feed bacteria, creating acids that will wear the enamel. Steer your children away from these hazards and opt for healthier alternatives, like sugar-free chewing gum and hard candy.

2. Serve Desserts With Water

Since cavity-causing sugar lingers on teeth, have your kids drink water whenever they indulge in a piece of candy. Unlike fruit juices, water won’t add sugar to their mouths, and it’ll wash away the sweetener’s residue.

3. Reserve Sweets for After Dinner

Saliva helps your mouth wash away bacteria, and its production peaks when you’re eating. Offer sweets after dinner to take advantage of this process. Your child’s mouth will naturally get rid of food debris and unhealthy sugar particles that cause tooth decay.

4. Make Oral Hygiene Part of the Deal

Make sure your children know that teeth cleaning needs to happen if they’re granted sweets. Tell your little ones that they need to brush and floss after dessert. Integrating dental care into your family treat policy will help your kids learn the importance of oral health. As a result, they’ll be more likely to establish healthy dental habits that will benefit them in adulthood.

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist to help keep your kid’s mouths clean, contact the team at Kapolei Keiki Dental. This state-of-the-art dental care practice helps children throughout Oahu maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Visit their website to get more information about their services, or call (808) 944-1020 to schedule an appointment.