How to Keep Your Dental Hygiene on Track in A Hectic World
Carpools, play dates, errands, children’s school activities, having a job – busy moms and dads know it can be a circus act trying to find time for themselves. Here are easy, convenient ways for moms and dads to take care of their own teeth and health, too.
Follow these tips to work dental hygiene into your daily schedule.
- Drink lots of water. Keep a full pitcher of purified water in the fridge and water bottles in the car for easy access at home and on the go. Staying hydrated has many health benefits, including helping with weight loss, flushing out toxins, clearing the mouth of bacteria, and boosting productivity.
- Keep a set of toothbrushes and toothpaste by the kitchen sink. Get in the habit of brushing teeth after meals right in the kitchen to make it more convenient.
- Keep travel toothbrushes and floss on hand. Pack a set of travel toothbrushes and floss in your purse or in the car so that you can brush and floss on the go when time is tight.
- Make smart snack choices. When you’re on a time crunch, a drive-thru or vending machine might seem like best snack option. Instead, keep stashes of healthier snacks in your purse and car. Keep healthy snacks ready to eat in the fridge such as washed and sliced fruit and vegetables and cubed cheese. Provide healthy options in the pantry as well such as whole wheat crackers and rice cakes.
Fresh fruits and vegetable are great choices.
Stock up on non-perishables like nuts, pretzels, seaweed snacks, popcorn, and healthy protein bars.
Look for snacks with 20 grams of protein, low sugar, and few ingredients.
- Use fluoride rinses. A nightly fluoride rinse strengthens teeth, reducing the risk of cavities.
- Drink sugary beverages with a straw. When you do drink soda, use a straw so that the sugar does not have as much contact with the teeth. Wash your mouth out with water afterward.
- Chew gum. Sugar free gum with the sugar substitute Xylitol kills bacteria in the mouth following meals. It also pulls food particles off of the teeth and promotes saliva flow to help neutralize acids.
- Educate your children. The more that kids know about making smart eating choices and practicing good dental hygiene, the better they will feel, encouraging them to maintain healthy lifestyles.