5 Tips to Protect Your Child’s Teeth This Easter

Easter will be here before you know it! And, as a parent, you know your child is excited to uncover some tasty Easter eggs.

While the meaning of Easter may be different for adults, it’s all about fun, family, and a large chocolate egg that they’ll try to consume in one day for a youngster!

Therein is the problem!

What’s the Problem?

According to health professionals, the average Australian woman should limit their daily sugar intake to fewer than 25 grams, while males should consume 35 grams—no one should consume more than 50 grams.

You can’t go wrong if you eat one Cadbury Crème Egg, chocolate Peep, and chocolate bunny. Right?

Wrong. Consider these statistics:

• A single little yellow peep has 34 grams of sugar.
• Lindt Chocolate Bunny. First, the “serving” size is a half-bunny! You’ll almost certainly ingest the entire bunny, resulting in a whopping 50 grams of sugar consumption.
• Crème Eggs from Cadbury. 20-gram sugar intake

Sugar accumulates and harms your teeth! Your snack has 84 grams of sugar, and a handful of jellybeans can have one hundred grams.

Like many other festive holidays, Easter ushers in weeks of emergency dental visits, cavity concerns, and a strange sensation in your child’s molars.

So, how can you prevent this dental mishap? Luckily, we have some dental advice for you!

Our 5 Dental Tips for you this Easter!

#1. Consider alternatives to chocolate

It doesn’t have to be all about the chocolate for Easter to be enjoyable. While a few small eggs may be plenty to keep you and the kids occupied, there are other things you can do instead of eating a lot of chocolate.

Why not organise a treasure hunt for your kids around your house and garden? Using maps and clues throughout the home with tiny chocolate and non-chocolate gifts around the treasure hunt is a terrific way to celebrate Easter with the kids and ensure they have as much fun!

#2. Chew on sugar-free gum

After indulging in Easter treats, chewing sugar-free gum can be a simple yet effective way to protect your child’s teeth. Sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production, which helps:

• Neutralise acids in the mouth.
• Wash away food particles stuck between teeth.
• Strengthen enamel with the presence of calcium and phosphate.

Look for xylitol gum, a natural sweetener that actively reduces cavity-causing bacteria.

#3. Drink plenty of water

Water is the best drink for your child’s teeth. Unlike fruit juices or fizzy drinks, which are high in sugar and acidity, water helps rinse away sugar particles and prevent plaque buildup.

Your child should be encouraged to drink water daily, especially after eating Easter delights. Tap fluoride water can further strengthen teeth and reduce the risk of cavities.

#4. Maintain oral hygiene

Easter is a time to indulge in delicious chocolate, but if your kids don’t clean their teeth correctly, all that sugar can lead to plaque and cavities.

So, even amid all the excitement, your children must follow their schedule throughout the Easter weekend. That includes cleaning their teeth at least twice daily, ideally in the morning and before bed.

#5. Visit your Cheltenham dentist regularly

Easter may only last a few days, but the impact on your child’s teeth can linger. Scheduling a post-Easter dental visit is a great way to catch any early signs of cavities or other oral health concerns.

During a check-up, your dentist can:

• Examine for early signs of decay.
• Provide a professional cleaning to remove plaque buildup.
• Offer preventive treatments like fluoride application to strengthen teeth.

Your child should visit the dentist regularly to maintain good oral health indefinitely and better understand the essentials of dental care.

Healthy Smile at Cheltenham

Despite our best intentions, following suggestions for sweets is not our favourite activity, especially during the holidays.

Although cavities are not unavoidable, to avoid extended sugar contact with your teeth, eat candy after meals rather than throughout the day.

Additionally, floss, brush, and swish your mouth with water or mouthwash at least twice daily to keep your smile healthy and cheerful!

Remember, cavities are not an unavoidable consequence of Easter. With mindful habits, your child can indulge without compromising their dental health.

So, enjoy the holiday, make wonderful memories, and most importantly, protect children’s teeth this Easter with these simple yet effective strategies!

Child Dental Benefits Schedule in Cheltenham

Bulk Bill for eligible children

Up to $1,095 worth of dental treatments over two years

Call us on (03) 9583 5506 or visit us at Suite C, 151 Centre Dandenong Road in Cheltenham.