Maintaining good oral care after the holidays is crucial after the bombardment of sugary sweets the past month. The holidays are filled with all sorts of sweets, and it’s not so great for your child’s teeth. Some children may even experience a slight depression after consuming so much sugar as their diet returns to a less sugar filled one. Check out these simple sugar-free ideas to fill your child’s New Year with joy instead of continuing down sugar lane.

Fun Activities

Fill your child’s daily routine with special moments that they will cherish all year round. For each day of the month (or weekend) come up with a fun activity that you can do together as a family. Some ideas include: going ice or roller skating, doing a craft together, or having an indoor or outdoor treasure hunt. Write down the activities on a slip of paper post one on each day (or weekend if your child is in school) of a 2018 calendar. This gives your child something to look forward to daily (or weekly) that does not involve sweets.

A Puzzling Treat

Give your child a fun challenge with a customized puzzle. Draw a picture or write a special message on a blank puzzle. Break the pieces apart and give your child one puzzle piece each day of the week. Every day your child can add the pieces together until they have a completed puzzle revealing a special message or fun activity to do together.

Sugar-Free Treats & Trinkets

Find some simple trinkets or sugar-free treats to fill each day instead of candy. The Dollar Store is a great place to find fun items without spending a lot of money. Some ideas include drawing supplies, a journal, mini pretzels, hair clips, small cars, and bouncing balls. Be sure to include a new toothbrush or toothpaste on one day to encourage good oral care.

Story-A-Day

Nothing beats a good story, except maybe several good stories (I bet you thought we were going to say “several good cookies”). Pick out a great book for every day (or night if your child is in school). Wrap each book individually and number the packages for each day of the month. Have your child open a new book each night at bedtime and read it together. It’s like a “gift” to enjoy a book together.

Celebrating the holidays is always joyous and the post-holiday season can be somewhat of an adjustment for children without loads of sweets and treats. They may literally be coming off a sugar “high”. Get creative and come up with your own sugar-free treats to kick start your child’s New Year.

It’s always a great time for a dental checkup after the holidays! Contact dentists Drs. James and Samuel Owens office at 918.455.7700 to make a post-holiday appointment for your child.