Summer time often means fun in the sun, road trips, sleepovers, beach days—and a break from routine. It’s a great time to unwind, relax, and enjoy some well deserved time off. But it’s important not to take a vacation from your child’s dental care. Skipping good oral hygiene habits can lead to unwanted surprises when school starts back up.
So let’s not let that happen!
Here are some easy, dental care tips from Dr. Lisa to keep your child’s smile bright all summer long—no matter where your adventures take you!
Stick to Brushing Twice a Day (Even on the Go)
While this might not sound like a hot dental health tip, we can’t emphasize it enough. Whether you’re staying local or bringing the kids on a grand adventure, the biggest thing you can do is keep up the habit of brushing twice a day.
If you can keep up with brushing in the morning and before bedtime, you will be well on your way to keeping a healthy smile. And if you are on the go in the car or taking long flights, brushing before naps or using a quick water rinse can help until you can brush properly.
Enjoy Snacks and Sweets… (Yes, Really)
Summer for kids is often synonymous with sugary treats—ice cream, popsicles, sodas, and campfire s’mores. And we want kids to have their happy summer memories too. But we will always remind families that too much sugar can feed cavity-causing bacteria.
If possible, try to:
- Limit really sticky or hard candies that stay in the mouth a long time
- Offer water instead of juice or soda as their primary source of hydration
- Pack some alternative tooth-friendly snacks like cheese sticks, fruits, baby carrots, or plain yogurt
Remember that a quick rinse with water after sugary snacks can help wash away any lingering sugar or stuck treats.
Pack a Travel Dental Kit
Before hitting the road or going on a trip, pack a small toiletry bag with your child’s oral hygiene essentials:
- Toothbrush (of course!)
- Travel-size fluoride toothpaste
- Child-friendly floss or floss picks (maybe some summer themed ones)
Bonus tip: Let your child pick their own travel toothbrush or pouch to get them excited and give them ownership over their routine!
Make Dental Care Fun!
Use summer as an opportunity to make oral care more enjoyable:
- Let your children pick the toothbrush, cup, floss pick, or other accessories when its time to brush
- Sing or play some fun music while brushing
- Create a summer brushing chart with rewards (an extra bedtime story maybe?)
- Turn brushing into a game (squashing bugs, spreading glitter, drawing pictures)
The more fun it is, the more consistent your child will be.
Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
The first thing to make sure is to keep calm. Things happen! We have a quick reference here.
For minor issues like a loose baby tooth or mild toothache:
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Use cold compresses for swelling
- Pack children’s pain relievers (if age-appropriate)
For anything more severe, feel free to reach out to give us a call at (732)-733-2166 or send us a message at info@smilegardenpd.com
Schedule an Appointment with a Pediatric Dentist
The main thing to remember is to keep as consistent as possible regardless of what plans you have this summer. With a little planning, you can help your child enjoy the summer—and keep their teeth bright and healthy.
And remember that summer is a great time to schedule your child’s dental checkup—no missed school or rushed mornings. A professional cleaning and exam can catch any small issues before they become big problems during the school year.
If you have questions about travel dental care or want to schedule a summer checkup, we’re here to help. We would love to welcome you to the Smile Garden family.
Give us a call or fill out this form for an appointment!
