The holiday season, known as the “-ber” months in Filipinos, is celebrated with family gatherings and feast-filled parties starting in September. As the festivities begin, people’s diets shift due to the temptation of delicious treats and spreads prepared for the season. However, parents and guardians need to manage their children’s oral health while enjoying the festivities. Colgate, a leading oral health brand, offers five easy tips to help parents and guardians manage their children’s oral health during the holiday season.
Limit your sugar intake
Family reunions and social gatherings are just a few of the occasions that take place over the holidays. More often than not, you’ll find your child binging on an excess of sweets throughout the day. This behavior can greatly increase the risk of developing cavities, so make sure to keep their sugar intake regulated to the dinner table.
Explore healthier alternatives
Too much sugar consumption damages tooth enamel, resulting in cavities and tooth decay. But is there another way to cut back on the sugar we eat during the holidays?
By using low sugar alternatives such as fruits, nuts, or cheese in our sweets, we can increase the nutritional value and lessen the acid on your child’s teeth. The Philippines is famous for it’s fresh, tropical fruits, such as mangoes, pineapples, bananas, and oranges—and they’re perfect for any occasion!
Always remember to drink water
During the holiday season, kids can often forget to drink water and run the risk of feeling tired and dehydrated. It’s important to remind them to prioritize drinking water. This will rinse any excess sugar and food residue from their teeth and help prevent cavities.
Try some chocolate-covered fruits
Liven up the holiday season with a fun bonding activity with your kids: making chocolate-covered fruits. Melting organic dark chocolate and combining them with delicious fruits like strawberries, is a great way to introduce them to a healthier way to satisfy their sweet tooth. Strawberries are one of the healthiest fruits, as they are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C. Dark chocolate also contains less sugar than milk chocolate.
Don’t forget to brush your teeth
Oral health should never be ignored just because it is the holiday season. It’s a good idea for your kids to practice good oral health habits, such as tooth brushing at least two times a day with a fluoride toothpaste like Colgate Maximum Cavity Protection, especially after meals. This helps to lessen their risk of developing tooth decay by removing the sugar and bacteria from all of the sweets and desserts that can be consumed.
We sincerely hope that these tips will help you and your children make the most of your holiday season while still helping you develop healthy habits in the process. Let us celebrate this year’s end with joy and laughter and look forward to 2024 with bright smiles filled with hope and happiness.
From all of us at Colgate, we wish you happy holidays!
