School’s out, pool days are in—but don’t let your child’s dental routine melt away with the summer heat! ☀️ While summer is a time for sunshine, vacations, and sweet treats, it’s also important to keep those little teeth in tip-top shape. Here are easy do’s and dont’s to remember to keep your kid’s smile bright all summer long:
On-the-Go Smiles
Traveling this summer? Whether it’s a weekend at Grandma’s or a week at camp, don’t forget to pack a kid-friendly dental kit. A cool travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and a few flossers can go a long way in keeping your child’s smile fresh no matter where summer takes you.
Just because you’re out of routine doesn’t mean dental care should take a vacation. Try setting brushing reminders on your phone or using a brushing app to keep kids motivated. Even after sleepovers or long road trips, those little habits make a big difference.
✅ DO: Pack a Travel-Size Dental Kit
Be ready for road trips, sleepovers, and camp. Include a small toothbrush, toothpaste, flossers, and a pouch.
✅ DO: Stick to a Brushing & Flossing Schedule
Summer fun shouldn’t disrupt twice-a-day brushing and daily flossing.
❌ DON’T: Forget dental care just because you’re away from home
Skipping brushing during sleepovers or trips can lead to plaque buildup or cavities.
❌ DON’T: Let the summer schedule chaos cause skipped routines
Late nights and sleep-ins can throw off healthy habits.
Tip: Stash an extra kit in the car so you’re always prepared
Snack Smart (and Smile Bright)
Summer brings endless snack requests—and let’s be honest, it’s easy to reach for gummies or juice boxes. But sticky, sugary treats can stick to teeth and feed cavity-causing bacteria.
Instead, keep smile-friendly options on hand like apples, carrot sticks, cheese cubes, and yogurt. Frozen grapes or banana slices make an awesome alternative to sugary popsicles and are gentle on teeth. Creating a “Snack Station” in your fridge can make it easy for kids to make better choices on their own.
✅ DO: Choose Smile-Friendly Snacks
Stock the fridge with apples, cheese, yogurt, crunchy veggies, and frozen fruits.
✅ DO: Drink Water—Especially with Fluoride
Water keeps your child hydrated, rinses sugar away, and strengthens enamel.
❌ DON’T: Rely on Sticky or Sugary Treats
Fruit snacks, candy, and juice boxes stick to teeth and feed bacteria.
Stay Cool—Without Ice Cubes
We get it—crunching on ice feels like a perfect way to cool down. But did you know chewing ice can crack enamel, chip teeth, and even damage fillings or braces? It’s also been linked to jaw problems and gum injuries.
If your child loves chewing on ice, offer frozen fruit instead. Grapes, watermelon chunks, or chilled cucumber slices satisfy that crunch without the dental risk. Even crushed ice is a better option than large cubes, and sugar-free popsicles or cold water with fruit slices can be just as refreshing.
If your child craves ice often, it might be a sign of iron deficiency—so it’s worth asking your pediatrician about it.
✅ DO: Cool Down with Frozen Fruit Instead of Ice
Frozen berries or fruit chunks are fun and tooth-safe alternatives to chewing on ice.
❌ DON’T: Let Kids Chew on Ice Cubes
Ice can chip or fracture teeth and even damage gum tissue.
Tip: Keep frozen fruit handy in the freezer for a crunchy, cool treat.
Sip Smart This Summer
Smoothies, lemonade, and sports drinks are summer favorites, but their acidity and sugar levels can quietly wear away enamel. One small trick? Use a reusable straw. It helps guide drinks past the teeth, reducing contact with sugar and acid. Plus, it’s a great eco-friendly habit to teach early.
Of course, water is always the best choice. If your area has fluoridated tap water, you’re not just hydrating—you’re strengthening teeth too. Make it fun by letting kids pick a colorful reusable water bottle they’ll actually want to carry around.
✅ DO: Drink Water—Especially with Fluoride
Water keeps your child hydrated, rinses sugar away, and strengthens enamel.
✅ DO: Use Reusable Straws with Sugary or Acidic Drinks
Straws help bypass teeth and reduce acid/sugar contact with enamel.
❌ DON’T: Replace water with sugary drinks all summer
Soda, lemonade, and sports drinks can erode enamel and cause cavities.
Tip: Let kids pick a fun reusable water bottle to encourage more water intake.
Make Dental Care Fun
Routine can feel boring—especially during summer. Try turning brushing and flossing into a game with a summer smile challenge. Kids can earn points for each morning and night they remember to brush, and trade them in for small prizes, fun outings, or extra screen time.
Making dental care part of the summer fun not only keeps their smiles healthy—it builds habits that stick year-round.
Ready for a summer full of sun, snacks, and healthy smiles?
As a parent, you’re juggling sunscreen, snacks, sleepovers, and sanity. Dental care shouldn’t be another stressor—it should be simple. With just a little planning, your child can enjoy all the magic of summer without sacrificing a healthy smile.
So pack the toothbrush, stock up on water, keep the ice crunching to a minimum, and enjoy this season of sunshine and (cavity-free) smiles.
Let us know how we can help—from booking checkups to sharing more tips. Dentistry for Kids is here to make summer easy (and tooth-friendly)! Contact us at 704-948-8494 today and take the steps towards a healthier, summer smile!