Like most parents, you probably want your kids to enjoy this summer. They only get so much time before returning to school. Still, be careful of letting them face the seasonal Texas heat. Children’s oral health suffers when they become dehydrated. From there, they’d have a lower quality of life. Luckily, your Duncanville dentist is here to prevent these outcomes. To that end, here’s how fluid loss harms oral health, the sneaky signs of dehydration, and ways to keep kids hydrated for summer.
What Connects Dehydration & Oral Health?
If you don’t already know, saliva is crucial to a healthy mouth. It re-mineralizes your teeth and removes harmful oral bacteria. By doing so, the liquid greatly reduces your risk of various dental problems.
Unfortunately, dehydration is a threat to saliva. The loss of fluid gradually dries out your mouth. As a result, germs and other mouth debris grow and multiply. You’re then left with a high chance of bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.
Three Sneaky Signs of Dehydration
Your child may know thirst means they’re dehydrated. That said, there are also sneaky signs of dehydration. You should thus keep watch to see if they develop the following:
Fluish Feelings
If your little one feels dizzy or nauseated, they might be dehydrated. Many flu-like symptoms can be mimicked by fluid loss. In fact, the latter can even cause fevers and chills in some cases.
Dark Pee
As it happens, you can check your child’s hydration levels by testing their pee. While pale yellow means they’re hydrated, a darker yellow indicates they need more water.
Fatigue
Hydration is crucial to maintaining the body’s energy. It delivers critical cell nutrients, and it also keeps organs functional. So, a child who seems oddly tired may suffer from a lack of water.
Ways to Keep Kids Hydrated for Summer
To keep your kids hydrated this summer, use the following tips:
- Stay Prepared – If your child has upcoming outdoor activities, have them drink plenty of water the day before.
- Eat Watery Meals – Aside from plain water, make sure your kids consume many fruits and veggies. These items have a high-water content and serve as ideal summer snacks.
- Drink to Thirst – If your child feels thirsty, get them to drink until the feeling passes.
For adults and kids alike, sneaky signs of dehydration can be challenging. Therefore, use the tips above so your whole family’s smiles are safe.
About the Practice
Barefield Pediatric Dentistry is based in Duncanville, TX. Led by Dr. Donna Barefield, our practice puts your kids’ smiles in very capable hands. We do excellent preventive, sedation, and emergency work for our child patients, whether toddlers or teens. Our team can even help special needs children who need accommodations. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (972)-298-7560.