We know that staying hydrated is an important part of day to day health, but it can also have a big impact on your kids’ oral health. The amount of water your children are drinking can sometimes be difficult to determine; especially if they’re at school all day, or if they’re not old enough to communicate their thirst. In today’s post we’ll talk about why water is important for oral health, how to try and keep track of the amount of water your kids are drinking, and ways to encourage more water consumption.
Mouths are happiest when they are hydrated. Drinking water not only washes away harmful bacteria and pieces of food, but it also helps your body create saliva. Saliva is our body’s way of washing away all of the things that are harmful to our teeth and gums, and we need adequate water to make enough saliva! So not only does water lend a helping hand with doing saliva’s job, it gives your body a tool it needs to create it.
Keeping track of the amount of water your kiddo is drinking can be tricky, especially if they’re at school. We recommend having a designated water bottle for each of your kids that you fill before they go to school, and when they come home from school. Making them a part of picking out their reusable water bottle can be a fun way to involve them in the mission to drink more water. Choose one that is insulated, BPA free, and has a sturdy lid. Dr. Borodkin likes the Golden Valley Kids water bottle for her daily dose of hydration! Your kids will get one at their initial exam at Golden Valley Kids. Her other favorites are stainless steel bottles since they are light and keep water cold for a long time.
It’s a common misconception that diluted juice does not contribute to decay in young children. Adding a small amount of juice to water in a sippy cup is not a good way to encourage hydration. As the sweetened water washes over your child’s teeth, the mouth becomes acidic and does not have a chance to neutralize before another sip is taken. The only liquid that kids should have in their sippy cups or water bottles is water!
Lastly, be sure to lead by example! Your kids will be much better water drinkers if they’re seeing it modeled by their parents. Put down the diet soda and pick up your water bottle. Tell us, do you have a water bottle you love?
Let’s Talk Hydration With Dr. Adena Borodkin of Golden Valley Kids Pediatric Dentistry
We know that staying hydrated is an important part of day to day health, but it can also have a big impact on your kids’ oral health. The amount of water your children are drinking can sometimes be difficult to determine; especially if they’re at school all day, or if they’re not old enough to communicate their thirst. In today’s post we’ll talk about why water is important for oral health, how to try and keep track of the amount of water your kids are drinking, and ways to encourage more water consumption.
Mouths are happiest when they are hydrated. Drinking water not only washes away harmful bacteria and pieces of food, but it also helps your body create saliva. Saliva is our body’s way of washing away all of the things that are harmful to our teeth and gums, and we need adequate water to make enough saliva! So not only does water lend a helping hand with doing saliva’s job, it gives your body a tool it needs to create it.
Keeping track of the amount of water your kiddo is drinking can be tricky, especially if they’re at school. We recommend having a designated water bottle for each of your kids that you fill before they go to school, and when they come home from school. Making them a part of picking out their reusable water bottle can be a fun way to involve them in the mission to drink more water. Choose one that is insulated, BPA free, and has a sturdy lid. Dr. Borodkin likes the Golden Valley Kids water bottle for her daily dose of hydration! Your kids will get one at their initial exam at Golden Valley Kids. Her other favorites are stainless steel bottles since they are light and keep water cold for a long time.
It’s a common misconception that diluted juice does not contribute to decay in young children. Adding a small amount of juice to water in a sippy cup is not a good way to encourage hydration. As the sweetened water washes over your child’s teeth, the mouth becomes acidic and does not have a chance to neutralize before another sip is taken. The only liquid that kids should have in their sippy cups or water bottles is water!
Lastly, be sure to lead by example! Your kids will be much better water drinkers if they’re seeing it modeled by their parents. Put down the diet soda and pick up your water bottle. Tell us, do you have a water bottle you love?