With spring arriving in Saskatoon, children are getting more time outdoors – as they should. Staying hydrated is even more important during recess, bike rides, playground trips, and/or spring sports. Water is a great way for children to feel their best, and it also has a helpful role in maintaining healthy smiles.
Water is one of the healthiest beverages kids can have all day long. Water does not coat teeth with sugar as juice, sports drinks, pop or other sweetened drinks do. Sugary drinks can increase the risk of cavities, especially when children sip on them slowly over long periods of time. Saskatchewan health recommendations also suggest substituting water or milk for juice for kids.
Why Water Matters for Kids’ Teeth
Water helps to wash out food particles and leftover sugars in the mouth. It also stimulates saliva production, which naturally protects teeth. Once snacks are eaten, a few sips of water will help clear the mouth of food until it is time to brush teeth for the second time.
This is particularly useful on busy spring days when children might be eating snacks at home, packing lunches for school, or spending extended periods at school.
Be Careful What Goes in the Water Bottle
Water bottles are ideal for school, sporting events, and outdoor activities. But what is inside the bottle matters.
You can have a bottle of water all day long and not worry about cavity issues as much as you would with a sweet beverage. Conversely, putting juice, sports drinks, flavoured water or other sugary drinks into a bottle provides repeated contact with sugar to teeth. According to Saskatchewan oral health guidelines, liquids other than water should not be sipped frequently, as this increases the risk for tooth decay.
For most everyday activities, water is the simplest and healthiest option.
Spring Sports Do Not Always Require Sports Drinks
With the kids getting more active in the spring, it may be easy to turn to sports drinks. They may be sold for sports, but are not typically required during regular play, school sports, or for casual sports and playing.
For most children, water is a great choice before, during, and after activity. It makes it easy to stay hydrated and keeps their teeth safe.
Easy Tips for Parents
These are some small habits that can have a huge impact:
- Send a refillable water bottle to school each day.
- Encourage kids to drink water after snacks.
- Limit juices and sweet beverages to treats during the day.
- Use water for the car, play, sports field & family outing.
- Drink water first to set an example for the children. Health educators in Saskatchewan say kids are more likely to choose water if their parents do.
A Healthy Spring Habit
It’s a wonderful time of year to establish new routines with the family, and a good place to begin is with healthy drink options. Giving children water supports their growth, health, and joyful smiles!
We at The Little Tooth Dental Clinic enjoy assisting Saskatoon families in developing healthy habits to keep kids’ teeth healthy today and all their lives long. If it has been a while since your child’s last dental visit, spring is a great time to book a checkup and keep their smile on track.