After another long year, the festive period has finally arrived. It’s time to take a well-earned rest, celebrate, and take care of ourselves and our families. Part of that care is ensuring we take simple steps to look after our children’s teeth.
Sweet treats are available more frequently during this time. Chocolates, lollies, and sugary drinks can quietly take a toll on young teeth when consumed throughout the day.
Busy schedules can also disrupt daily routines. Brushing may be rushed or forgotten as late nights and outings become the norm.
This is where extra care from parents makes a real difference. With guidance from children’s dentistry in Brunswick, small habits can help protect growing smiles.
We’re here to help. In this blog, we’ll run through some easy ways to keep on top of your family’s oral health. At Brunswick Life Dental Clinic, we provide more than just children’s dentistry in Brunswick. We also offer preventive advice to help them stay smiling through the summer. These ideas help families enjoy Christmas while focusing on what matters most.
Table of Contents
Common Dental Problems Kids Face During the Holidays
Based on years of caring for families in Brunswick, these are the dental concerns we most often see in children at this time:
- Tooth decay and cavities: Increased access to sugary treats and desserts during the holidays allows oral bacteria to damage teeth, leading to cavities.
- Tooth sensitivity: Cold drinks, ice, sugary or acidic foods can trigger discomfort or pain.
- Gum irritation: Skipped brushing and sticky foods may cause redness, soreness, or bleeding gums.
- Chipped or broken teeth: Hard lollies, candy canes, or biting toys can crack teeth and should be checked promptly.
- Acidic foods and sugar-free alternatives: Even sugar-free or acidic foods and drinks, like fizzy drinks, fruit juices, sparkling water, and vinegar-containing foods, can wear down teeth.
- Disrupted routines during holidays: Changes in daily schedules may affect regular brushing and oral care, increasing the risk of dental issues.
Most holiday dental problems begin small. Noticing them early helps keep your children comfortable and smiling well into the new year. Early dental treatment can prevent minor issues from developing into more serious concerns.
What Would Santa Say About Your Smile?
If Santa paused between checking his list and polishing the sleigh, he might take a closer look at smiles, too. After all, December is full of sweet treats, busy days, and relaxed routines. From a dentist’s chair, it’s easy to spot the little habits that keep a smile merry and the ones that might land it on Santa’s “needs a check-up” list.
Santa’s Smile Checklist:
- Nice brushing habits: Santa loves consistency. Brushing morning and night, even on busy holiday days, shows care and discipline that keeps teeth strong through the festive season.
- Treats enjoyed, not overdone: A few chocolates won’t raise an eyebrow, but constant nibbling might. Santa would approve of enjoying sweets in one sitting rather than all day long.
- Drink Plenty of Water: Reaching for water between meals helps wash away sugar and keeps mouths feeling fresh. Santa knows it’s a simple habit with a big payoff.
- Tooth-Friendly Treats: A new toothbrush, fun toothpaste, or floss might not sparkle as much as toys. However, Santa appreciates gifts that protect smiles long after Christmas ends.
- No ignoring minor problems: Santa’s been around long enough to know small tooth issues don’t fix themselves. A quick visit to a trusted local clinic, such as Brunswick Family Dental Clinic, helps prevent minor concerns from becoming holiday regrets.
In Santa’s eyes, a healthy smile is about steady care, good habits, and knowing when to ask for help. Keep those in place, and your smile stays firmly on the nice list all year round.
Top Tips for Your Child’s Oral Health from a Brunswick Dentist
Christmas is an exciting time for children, filled with treats, celebrations, and a break from their usual routines. However, all the extra sweets, parties, and late-night festivities can make it harder to maintain healthy teeth.
That’s why, when clinics may have limited holiday hours, it’s important for parents to know the steps to handle a dental emergency over the holidays and stay prepared if the unexpected happens.
Parents in Brunswick can help protect their children’s smiles by following these few simple habits this festive season:
1. Maintain the “2-2-2 Rule”
Keep your child’s smile healthy during the holidays by following the simple 2-2-2 rule:
- Brush 2 times every day
- Brush for 2 minutes each time
- Have your dentist check your teeth 2 times every year
2. Manage Holiday Sweets Strategically
Our children don’t need to avoid holiday sweets altogether, but following these simple rules can help protect their teeth:
- Minimise sugar intake from sweets for your kids to reduce the risk of cavities.
- Choose whole fruits that require chewing, such as apples and pears, for a healthier alternative.
- Have sweet treats as part of a meal rather than as a standalone snack.
- Avoid grazing or constant snacking throughout the day.
- Limit food and drink intakes to five or fewer per day, excluding water or milk.
3. Festive Dental Habits and Christmas Gift Ideas
You can make dental care fun and festive for kids during the holidays! Encouraging healthy habits doesn’t have to feel like a chore. For older children, sugar-free gum can be a great option, as it helps increase saliva and reduce the risk of tooth decay. You can also turn good dental habits into part of the Christmas excitement.
There are a few simple ways to support your children’s oral health over the festive season:
- Toothbrushing apps: Free apps such as Disney Magic Timer by Oral-B, Brush with the Wiggles, and Brush Monster make brushing fun. They reward children for brushing well and can turn a daily routine into an enjoyable game.
- Reinforce good habits: Praise your child when they choose fruit over sweets. Positive feedback makes them feel proud and motivates them to keep making healthy choices.
- Chew sugar-free gum for teenagers: Chewing gum after meals can help control plaque and protect teeth from decay.
Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a government program that helps eligible families cover the cost of dental care for children from birth until the day before their 18th birthday.
How to Check Eligibility for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS)
- Sign in to myGov and make sure your Medicare online account is linked.
- Go to Medicare.
- Select History and statements, then choose Child Dental Benefits Schedule to view eligibility and balance.
- If your child is eligible, their CDBS details will be shown on the next screen.
Note: You can also check eligibility and balance by calling Medicare on 132 011.
Use CDBS at Brunswick Life Dental
- Brunswick Life Dental Clinic accept payments under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).
- A parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form before any treatment begins.
- All CDBS claims are bulk billed through our HICAPS terminal and must be processed on the day of treatment.
- Please bring your Medicare card or have your card details available at your appointment so that we can process payment smoothly.
- If your child is not eligible for CDBS, we offer affordable dental care, with check-ups and cleans priced at $79 for children aged 12 and under, and $139 for children over 12.
- For eligible health fund members, there is no out-of-pocket cost. Full terms and conditions are available on our website.
- We are open during the school summer holidays and are here to help, whether your child needs a routine check-up and clean or urgent dental care.
Local Dental Support for Brunswick Families
At Brunswick Life Dental Clinic, we provide children’s dental care, including routine check-ups, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and early intervention for potential issues. We also accept Medicare bulk bill payments for eligible children under the Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS), within their funding limit, allowing families to focus on keeping their children’s teeth healthy without added financial stress.
As a preferred provider for various health funds, including CBHS, NIB, and TUH Health Fund, families may be eligible for No Gap on preventative treatments such as check-ups, X-rays, and cleans (subject to policy limits), along with reduced fees on selected dental services.
Clinic Details:
Brunswick Life Dental Clinic
Address: 584 Sydney Rd, Brunswick, VIC 3056
Phone: 03 9380 1224
Book an appointment with Brunswick Dental Now!
Conclusion
Christmas memories are shaped by shared moments, joyful meals, and simple routines that continue even during busy days. When parents stay attentive to small habits, children can enjoy the season without unnecessary dental concerns.
Support also matters, and having a familiar clinic makes a real difference. Brunswick Family Dental Clinic works closely with local families to keep children’s smiles healthy, comfortable, and well cared for, not just at Christmas, but throughout the year ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Christmas affect children’s teeth?
Christmas often brings more sugary snacks, drinks, and irregular routines. For many families in Brunswick, this can increase the risk of cavities if brushing and other dental habits are not followed regularly during the holidays.
How to Protect Kids’ Smiles During Christmas?
Consider limiting your kid’s sugary treats to mealtimes, encourage water between snacks, and keep brushing routines consistent. Moreover, regular check-ups at a family-focused clinic like Brunswick Family Dental also help catch dental issues early.
What is the 2-2-2 rule for children’s dental care?
It’s a simple guide: brush twice a day, for two minutes each time, and visit the dentist twice a year. This routine supports healthy teeth as children grow.
Do Brunswick dental clinics offer children’s dental care?
Yes. Brunswick Family Dental Clinic provides dedicated children’s dental care, focusing on prevention and treatment, and helping kids feel comfortable during every visit.
