Help Your Child Maintain Their Dental Health During Summer Camp
Posted on: 10 July 2019
If your child is about to take off for a couple of weeks or even the rest of the season to attend a summer camp, you are no doubt making sure they have everything they need for the trip. While a medical checkup before they leave is a good idea, you might also want to get their next dentist appointment out of the way as well. To keep your child's teeth in good health while they are away, here are some tips that might help.
Stress the Importance of Maintaining an Oral Care Routine
You probably make sure your kids are following the typical oral care routine of brushing twice a day and flossing while they are at home. But you might not be around while your kid is at summer camp, so it's important that you stress how important this routine is. Consider packing an extra toothbrush or floss in their belongings, so they don't have an excuse if they drop or lose it. If the summer camp will have a lights out policy at a certain time, encourage your child to tackle this task every night as they prepare for bed and then again as soon as they arrive in the morning.
Encourage Water Drinking
Summer camp may provide opportunities for food or snacking throughout the day when a toothbrush is not going to be nearby. Encourage to use water to at least rinse their mouth after every meal even if they are not going to be able to brush. On that note, drinking water instead of soda or fruit punch might also be a good idea as this will keep sugar from sitting inside your child's mouth throughout the day.
Talk to the Camp About the Child's Diet
If you are especially concerned about your child's diet while they are away, you may want to request a diet that is low in sugar. Most summer camps are willing to provide different menu options for those who need it, but there's no reason why you can't request something specific if you want to. If that won't work, try and talk your child into sometimes picking the piece of fruit or veggie instead of the cookie or ice cream.
Summer camp can be a lot of fun for your kid, but it can also be an opportunity for cavities to grow. Talk to your child in advance about their oral care routine and talk to the camp counselors if needed. For best results, contact a dentist to get your child a check up before they leave.
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