With the weather heating up it’s time to start taking extra precautions for our little ones as the temperatures rise.
Living in Queensland has made us all very “Sun Smart” but don’t forget to ensure you are keeping your kids hydrated!
Did you know that good hydration is vital in maintaining healthy teeth?
We have put together tooth friendly tips on keeping your children hydrated this summer.
Tips for keeping hydrated in summer
1. Drink mostly water. Sportsdrinks, soft drink, and juice are all packed full of sugar, which will only dehydrate little bodies even further. Water is by far the best option, and is also the cheapest!
2. Use straws and drink bottles. Make drinking water fun with special straws. There are lots that go round and round, or do squiggly shapes, or really really long ones that kids will love. Otherwise let them pick a fun, bright water bottle.
3. Be wary of making water exciting. If your kids find plain water too boring, you may be tempted to try adding fresh or frozen fruit to their water or even freezing the fruit in the ice-cube tray to make colourful ice-cubes. Whilst this is a fun way to get kids to drink more water it must be kept in mind that fruit still contains sugar and acid and if sipped on throughout the day will contribute to tooth decay.
4. Eat hydrating fruit. Some fruits like bananas and watermelon are very high in water content and are great source of liquid. Keep your watermelon in the fridge, so it’s nice and cold – the perfect refreshing snack!
5. Make water readily available. Children will drink when they’re thirsty if there is a drink available. Make sure water bottles are within easy reach for kids, and make sure you always pack a water bottle when heading outside. Don’t forget to keep kids hydrated when you’re playing in the backyard, at the beach, or simply catching up with friends.
6. Set a good example. Teach your kids the importance of drinking water by setting a good example, and keep your hydration levels up. You might want to take regular water breaks together, or try matching water bottles.
