Now that winter is over, spring and all of its associated fun is just around the corner. If you are a parent, there are some things you need to know about keeping your kids’ teeth safe this spring. Check out this list of tooth safety tips.

Get a Mouthguard for Sports

Even if your son or daughter played sports last spring, it’s likely that they will need a new mouthguard. A mouthguard protects the teeth from stray balls and other children’s heads. Baseball, softball, karate, and other sports include hazards that could knock out or break a tooth, so it’s important that your child wears a mouthguard and that it fits well.

Watch the Sticky and Sweet Foods

While children often want to indulge in sweet foods all year long, the warm weather of spring encourages parents to allow more ice cream, ice pops, and soda than they might during the colder seasons. If your child is munching on Easter jellybeans or slurping down a root beer float with any regularity, they might be at risk of developing cavities or even gum disease. Limit sweet treats, alternate them with tooth-friendly snacks like fresh veggies and cheese, and be sure to encourage your child to brush well after indulging.

Keep an Eye on the Nighttime Routine

Once the clocks are set an hour ahead, it’s common for kids to stay up an hour later; once school ends, they might stay up substantially later on a regular basis. This can cause them to be too tired to keep up with their bedtime routine, which includes brushing and flossing the teeth. Insist that your children brush and floss before bed; it’s also fine for them to do it shortly after dinner, as long as they’re not going to have a bedtime snack. Just don’t let them go to bed without brushing; that’s one of the best ways to keep your kids’ teeth healthy.

If your child didn’t have a cleaning in the winter, then it’s time for them to have one in the spring. Take a look at your calendar and give us a call so we can schedule an appointment with their hygienist!