There’s nothing not to love about Easter. The quality time with family, Easter hunts in the garden, and the delicious chocolate eggs … which is usually where the fun stops! For most parents, Easter is a constant struggle to curb their children’s sugar intake and to protect their dental health, which (let’s face it) is often a losing battle – but it doesn’t have to be.
Any dental health mistakes that are made over Easter will have a lasting effect on your little one’s oral health, and we’re here to help you avoid them all with our guide to a happy, healthy Easter.
1. Snacking all day
This Easter, it’s important that your children are mindful of not just what they eat, but how they eat.
The mistake
You might think that there’s no harm in your little ones enjoying their Easter treats throughout the day. You may even believe that this is a good way to spread their exposure to sugar out, rather than allowing it to build up in one sitting, but snacking throughout the day is actually the more harmful practice.
The solution
Reduce the amount of time that their teeth are at risk by limiting snacks to set times, ideally once per day and with a meal. This prevents sugar from building up on their teeth all day, and also gives the saliva in their mouths enough time to wash away the sugars and protect their teeth against plaque and decay.
2. Brushing after eating
Don’t worry if you tell your children to ‘just brush extra hard’ after having an Easter egg. You’ve not the first person to do so, and you won’t be the last!
The mistake
This dental health mistake is a 2-in-1. Not only is it inadvisable for children to brush their teeth more than twice per day, but brushing straight after eating will actually damage the enamel. This is a protective layer that is softened by the sugars and acids left behind after eating and brushing it too soon can result in parts of it being dislodged and washed away.
The solution
It may surprise you to hear, but children should actually wait at least 30 minutes after eating before they brush their teeth, as this gives the enamel time to return to its hardened state. Children’s teeth also need to be brushed with care, not with force, so don’t encourage your little ones to brush any harder on the days that they have eaten more sugar.
3. Not drinking enough water
Whilst your children can’t brush their teeth after every snack, they can still wash away the worst of the sugar with a glass of water.
The mistake
We all know that the usual dietary rules go out of the window during Easter, for children and parents alike! Indulging in chocolate, sweets, and other treats is all part of the fun, but don’t forget to give them a glass of water to rinse their mouths out during snack time. Even worse than forgetting to do this is giving them fizzy drinks whilst snacking, as these will simply replace the sugars and acids in their mouths with new ones.
The solution
Every sip of water neutralises acids, reduces the risk of enamel, and freshens breath, so get your little ones into the habit of drinking water throughout the day. This will also help their mouths to produce plenty of saliva, so keep them hydrated at home and pack a water bottle for all of their Easter egg hunts.
4. Choosing sugary snacks
Whilst Easter eggs are unavoidable, there are a few tooth-friendly alternatives to stock up on as well.
The mistake
Sugary threats to your children’s oral health are found in every Easter basket and the biggest culprits are chocolate, toffees, and chewy sweets that will stick to their teeth and require extra effort to brush away.
The solution
Trying to limit your little ones’ exposure to sugary snacks over Easter is like trying to limit their exposure to gifts during Christmas. Whilst it is inevitable that they will indulge, it is also helpful to have plenty of snacks in the house that do not contain sugar and will actually benefit their oral health.
These include:
- Cheese
- Yoghurts
- Dried fruits
- Sugar-free sweets
- And dark chocolate (a great alternative to sugary milk chocolate)
5. Not sticking to a dental health routine
They may be on holiday, but not sticking to an oral health routine is one of the worst mistakes your little ones could make!
The mistake
The relaxed Easter weekend makes it hard for children to stick to any kind of routine, but now is the worst possible time to be letting their oral health slip. Their increased sugar intake makes their regular routine all the more important, and there is no room for them to skip brushing their teeth one night or to sneak in some sweets once they are in bed.
The solution
Milk teeth and new adult teeth need to be brushed for at least two minutes, twice per day. Your little ones may need supervision to check that this is being done properly, but there is no need for this quick task to feel like a boring end to a day of fun. Instead, gift them new, Easter-themed toothbrushes at the beginning of the holidays, and brush together as a family.
Schedule a children’s dental health checkup
If your children (and maybe even you yourself!) have enjoyed a few too many treats over Easter, then it’s time to arrange a visit to Riverside Dental Spa.
Their children’s exams and treatments are all half price, so click here to book the whole family in for a post-Easter dental checkup.
