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Don’t Let Good Dental Hygiene Go on Spring Break!

Today’s guest post is written by Konita Wilks, DDS, dental director for Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County.  Please welcome Dr. Wilks to The SoCal Field Trips Family!

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The only question asked more frequently during road trips than, “Are we there yet?” is, “What do we have to eat?”

Spring break is the unofficial start of the summer travel season. With some pre-planning, families can prevent many wrong turns into fast-food restaurants or convenience stores, where frozen confections, flavored sports drinks and salty snacks can tempt anyone.

Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County, one of the largest nonprofit oral health providers dedicated to improving the dental health of children, offers ideas on how to ensure your spring break trip doesn’t turn into a trip to the dentist. http://www.healthysmilesoc.org/home/

Dental Road Hazards

As you set out for any traveling, consider adventures that will expand your perspective — not your family’s exposure to dental disease!

Sometimes, the easiest way to ensure good dental health is simply to sidestep the things that can harm children’s teeth and gums. For example, if you limit snacking, you can help spare kids from developing cavities. Bacteria, which metabolizes sugar, can produce cavity-causing acid on teeth.

When the mood for snacking strikes, you’ll make your mouth far happier if you pass over these common staples:

· Processed foods — Convenience foods, such as hot dogs, contain a lot of hidden sugar.
· Energy drinks — Even children are getting caught up with the pep that energy drinks provide, but a typical 8-ounce serving contains roughly 2 to 2 and 1/3 tablespoons of sugar.
· Diet soda — It may seem like diet sodas are better choices than regular varieties, but the phosphoric acid and carbonation they contain erode tooth enamel.
· Carb-loaded snacks — Carbohydrates break down into simple sugars, which create bacteria-loving plaque, so avoid potato chips, breads or French fries.
· Dried fruit — Although it’s easy to transport, dried fruit is ripe with highly concentrated sugars and non-soluble cellulose fiber that can trap sugars on and around the tooth.

Green Light for Dental Health

While on the road, it’s high time to practice the same dental hygiene habits you would at home.

Stocking up ahead of time on snacks your family likes, that don’t contribute to dental decay, can prevent all sorts of sugar-induced meltdowns.

Items may include:

· Water — This is the ideal beverage, as it keeps your mouth hydrated and flushes food debris from your mouth.
· Fresh fruit — Apples, oranges and bananas are nature’s candy — and very portable.
· Cheese — String cheese is a kiddy favorite. Older kids and adults might like Cheddar cheese slices.
· Hard-boiled eggs — This protein travels well and doesn’t leave your teeth dosed in sugar and acids.
· Plain yogurt — Another good protein source, plain yogurt is good for your teeth, but make sure you find varieties without sugar added.
· Hummus — As a snack, hummus is a double whammy, containing protein and fiber to hold off hunger.

And, don’t forget to keep up with your daily routine of brushing and flossing while on the road!

Children (and adults!) should brush teeth two or three times a day, at least after breakfast and before going to bed, for two minutes each time. Follow a thorough brushing with flossing for one minute. For young children, the use of flossers is sometimes easier. Parents should floss children’s teeth until they are able to floss well by themselves, usually around age 9.

Here’s to happy travels and even healthier smiles!

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About the author:
As the dental director of Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County, Konita Wilks, DDS, has a passion for serving children with special needs, an underserved population among the local community. A Huntington Beach resident, Dr. Wilks graduated with honors from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry and completed post-doctoral education at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Her research has focused on developing a standardized protocol for treating children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities in a traditional dental clinic setting.