Make sure the good habits don’t slide!
It’s March break next week for most kids and I don’t know what happens at your house, but at mine, a break from school and its schedules seems to mean a break from ALL schedules. At least, according to my daughter.
In fact, I’ve noticed that during periods of holiday when a general desire to be lazy takes over, the daily reminders of “Don’t forget to brush” seem to fall on deaf ears. The selective listening abilities of the North American child: boundless and iron clad.
So with that in mind, I had a few thoughts as to how to keep things going:
Remind the kids that germs don’t go on vacation
If anything, a lack of consistent brushing will cause the germs to host a ‘staycation’ in their mouths. Fastidious kids will only need that reminder to stay on track. Other kids might need to hear it more than once. Or every single day.
When relaxing the rules for the break, don’t relax on oral hygiene
At my house, in the evening, there are two hard and fast rules:
- All electronics leave the bedroom at 9 pm.
- Teeth brushed and PJs on by 8:45 pm or tomorrow’s electronic time is forfeited.
Even if you feel like relaxing your rules about electronics or bed times or what have you, make sure the kids don’t take that as a sign of a free-for-all on all their good habits.
You are what you eat
Yes, vacations and breaks are a fun time and more prone to indulgences like dessert and cookies and the like, particularly if the kids are home all day. Pay attention to what the kids are snacking on however and making sure that the reachable snacks, in the fridge and pantry, include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain snacks. Sugar is fun, in moderation, but it doesn’t take long build up enough sugar on teeth to start paving the way to a cavity.
Setting the clocks forward, checking alarm batteries… check your calendar too!
Spring forward by an hour and check your fire alarm batteries: both are important for your being on time and keeping your family safe. Now is also a good time to check your calendar to see if you need to be scheduling a cleaning for anyone in your family!
Tip? Book your next appointment WHEN you are at a cleaning and remember to check, as you approach the date, that it still works for you!
Make regular visits to your family dentist a part of your children’s oral health plan. Orion Dental specializes in children’s dentistry, and with offices conveniently located in Milton and Scarborough, we’re never too far away! Call us today to book an appointment for you and your family!
