Eat healthy food when outdoors –
Restrict the intake of sweets when outdoors
for a prolonged period of time. Chips are a
superior choice than cookies and water can
be better than artificially prepared juices.
Increase the consumption of protein and
avoid white carbohydrates since these break
down into sugars immediately in the mouth
resulting in the breaking down of the enamel.
Never miss your breakfast – Many
people tend to be somewhat relaxed during
the summer months and skip the first meal
of the day. However, remember that breakfast
is the most important meal. When you miss
breakfast, you have a tendency to snack on
unhealthy items all through the morning. On
the contrary, if you eat a full breakfast and then
brush later, you won’t have the temptation to
consume unhealthy foods.
What are the benefits of maintaining
dental hygiene during summertime?
An attractive smile – If your smile is not
associated to any disease like tooth decay or
periodontal, it’ll be an attractive and healthier
smile. Eating and drinking can leave stains
on your teeth and with the passage of time,
your teeth will tend to darken. Brushing and
flossing on a regular basis will give you an
increased possibility of removing these stains
before they turn to be deeper stains which
cannot be removed easily.
Improved breath – Good dental hygiene
is associated to fresher breath. This is because
you get rid of food debris while brushing
which can keep the levels of oral bacteria low.
Greater self confidence – Research has
indicated that a healthy and bright smile
instills greater self confidence which can be of
utmost importance in your relationship with
others.
Prevents
systemic
complications
health
Poor dental hygiene has been linked to
periodontal disease, which when progresses,
results in cardiovascular issues, Alzheimer’s
disease, diabetes and strokes.
Saving time and money – Healthy
oral activity indicates the absence of tooth
decay or periodontal disease which indicates
you’ll require less periodontal or restorative
treatments.
Keeps your dental worries at bay – A
major of patients with dental issues are worried
about visiting the dentist. However, ignoring
dental hygiene is similar to a ticking time
bomb. So, for such patients it’s mandatory to
make timely visits to the dentist and maintain
a good dental hygiene.
Look younger as you grow old – A
healthy smile can help you feel younger which
acts as a catalyst while establishing relations
with others.
Dental restorations that are long
lasting – Dental restorations are usually
associated to a life span. For instance, a dental
crown normally lasts for 10-15 years provided
you give proper care to your teeth. In the
absence of proper care they last for only about
3-4 years
Credit: Dr. Khandaqji – Dental News
18
URBAN PULSE
DIRECT
GET READY FOR
BACK
TO
SCHOOL
Starting the new school year can
be a time of great excitement…
and anxiety. Help calm your
child’s fears (and your own)
with these teacher-approved
tips.
Meet the new
teacher
For kids, one of the biggest
back-to-school fears is “Will I
like my new teacher?” Breaking
the ice early on is one of the best
ways to calm everyone’s fears.
Take advantage of your school’s
open house or back-to-school
night. Some teachers welcome
phone calls or e-mails —
another great opportunity to
get to know each other before
the year begins.
If personal contact with the
teacher isn’t possible, try
locating the teacher’s picture
on a school website or in a
yearbook, so your child can
put a name with a face. If your
child’s teacher sends a welcome
letter, be sure to read the letter
together.
Tour the school
If your school hosts an
open house, be sure to go.
Familiarizing your child with
her environment will help her
avoid a nervous stomach on the
first day. Together you can meet
her teacher, find her desk, or
explore the playground.
With an older child, you might
ask him to give you a tour of the
school. This will help refresh his
memory and yours.
Connect with
friends
A familiar friend can make all
the difference when heading
back to school. You might try
calling parents from last year’s
class and finding out which
children are in your child’s
class this year. Refresh these
relationships before school
starts by scheduling a play date
or a school carpool.
Tool up
Obtain the class supply list
and take a special shopping
trip with your child. Having
the right tools will help him
feel prepared. While keeping
basic needs in mind, allow for
a couple of splurges like a cool
notebook or a favorite-colored
pen. These simple pleasures
make going back to school a lot
more fun.
School supply lists
also provide great insight into
the schoolwork ahead. Get your
child excited about upcoming
projects by explaining how new
supplies might be used. Let him
practice using supplies that
he’s not used before — such as
colored pencils or a protractor
— so he will be comfortable
using them in class.
Avoid last-minute drilling.
When it’s almost time to stop
playing, give a five-minute
warning. Giving clear messages
to your child is very important.
Chat about today’s events and
tomorrow’s plans.
While it is important to
support learning throughout
the summer, don’t spend
the last weeks of summer
vacation reviewing last year’s
curriculum. All kids need some
down time before the rigors of
school begin. For some kids,
last-minute drills can heighten
anxiety, reminding them of
what they’ve forgotten i nstead
of what they remember.
Ease into the routine
Switching from a summer to a
school schedule can be stressful
to everyone in the household.
Avoid first-day-ofschool mayhem by
practicing your routine a few
days in advance. Set the alarm
clock, go through your morning
rituals, and get in the car or to
the bus stop on time. Routines
help children feel comfortable,
DIRECT
and establishing a solid school
routine will make the first day
of school go much smoother.
URBAN PULSE
Source: PBS Parents