Are you Up to the Challenge? #5: Healthy Holidays

We’ve created a 5-part series of new ideas and fun activities for parents, caregivers and educators to teach children good oral health habits and decisions.

Play online or download and print hard copies of each challenge for free use in the home and in the classroom. Boost the excitement by rewarding each milestone with treats big and small.

#5: Healthy Holidays

The Goal

Educate children about the sweets scale so they recognize and avoid those candies most likely to cause cavities. Also introduce them to non-sugary treats as fun alternatives.

The Benefit

Avoiding the avalanche of sugary treats that come with holidays like as Halloween, Christmas and Easter will help keep cavities and tooth decay away. It’s also helpful for kids to know that it’s OK to enjoy sweets in moderation, especially if they know which candies are safest for teeth and how to mitigate the risk of cavities by brushing, flossing or rinsing with water afterward.

The Challenge

Encourage your children or students to pick a few favorite pieces of candy and trade the rest for cash or non-candy treats. Check out the Sweets Scale below to determine which candies are the most smile-friendly.

A Healthy Holidays Challenge brochure, with complete instructions, the Sweet Scale, visuals of how to enjoy candy in moderation and more, can be viewed and downloaded for parents/teachers and kids.

The Rewards

At the end of the week or holiday season, tally the number of candy pieces your child is offering and reward them based on a system you and your child determined in advance, such as 10 cents/piece. Also include a new toothbrush or fun-flavored toothpaste in the total. Teachers, encourage parents to send non-candy treats to class festivities (if allowed), such as stickers, small toys, pencils or plastic jewelry. If the students choose to go candy-free as a class, offer them a reward at the party, such as a movie, a game or a craft day. 

Tips for Grown-ups:

Recognize naughty and nice oral habits to keep your teeth and gums in excellent shape over the holidays.

A Healthy Holidays Challenge brochure, with complete instructions, the Sweet Scale, visuals of how to enjoy candy in moderation and more, can be viewed and downloaded for teachers/parents and kids.

Participate in our other challenges

#1: Say No To Cavities

#2: Sugar Swaps

#3: Protect Your Mouth

#4: Think About Your Drink

And then take our Smile Smarts Quiz!

Check out our video resources

• How Does Tooth Decay Happen?

We’d love to hear from you how you are creating healthy smiles. Email us your success stories and suggestions for additional challenges at marketing@deltadentalar.com. 

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