Breaking Kids’ Soda Habit -

Details for Breaking Kids’ Soda Habit

ID:	6280
Author:	John Ramallo
Title:	Breaking Kids’ Soda Habit
Article:	It is critical to break your kids of their soda habit for several reasons, the most notable being problems with their teeth. Sure, soda tastes good and it is pretty convenient too, but the damage it can cause to your child’s mouth is well documented. Breaking your child of a soda habit can seem like a monumental task, but it can be done. As a parent, your job is to be vigilant. Here are a few ideas that can help you get your child off of the soda hook. Don’t let her start! The best way to avoid forming any kind of habit is simply not to start it. Kids don’t just know about soda, they are introduced to it. No one has as much control over a kid’s diet as a parent, particularly during the early years. This is the time to take a stand against the damage to your child’s teeth that drinking too much soda can cause. Commit to yourself as a parent that you will not allow your child to have soda until after she turns two; this will avoid starting a lifetime habit and also save precious baby teeth as they come in. As your child grows, she will inevitably be exposed to soda. Make sure that the quantities she takes in are limited; no one under seven ever needs to drink a full can of soda at one sitting. Educate him! Kids are a lot smarter than most adults realize and can put together logical information quite well. By letting your child know the kind of damage which can be done in his mouth by consuming too much soda, you will allow him to make healthier choices. The course of action is up to you, but usually lessons from yourself as well as the dentist will help him understand why soda needs to be avoided. Don’t spare any details either; talk about the pain of cavities, the danger of tooth rot, and so on. Leave out the cost of dental work though; although you may have a firm grasp on it, children can seldom comprehend their parents’ attitude towards money. Also, feel free to use video samples of rotting teeth, as children respond very well to visuals. Look for Healthier Options Every family is going to go out to eat now and then, it just can’t be avoided. Restaurant meals are a prime time for a child to continue or start a soda habit, but most have options available. Skip on the non-stop soda and ask your server for water. If you are going out for fast food, substitute milk for the soda which will come with your meal. Even chocolate milk is a better option than soda, as far as your child’s oral health is concerned. Set the Example! Finally, as a parent, you can help your child avoid the problems of bad oral health by setting a good example. Odds are that if you drink a lot of soda, your child will too. Break your own habit and clear the house of this mouth poison; at the very least, don’t indulge in your own soda habit until the kids have all gone to bed. About the author of this article: oral health in the usa is in decline, and wv is no exception. smile west virginia is a leading online presence in promoting good oral hygiene in west virginia through quality content and resources found on their site. one of their top priorities is getting kids off of soda . they also boast an extensive directory of oral health care providers in west virginia. visit them to find a dentist in your area today.
Category:	Home: Family
Date:	February 15, 2010 04:03:15 PM

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