As a parent, you are probably constantly worrying about their health and wellbeing. As your kids get past the baby stage, that worry can start to fade as you realize that your children are more resilient than you thought and that they will be able to overcome sickness and other minor health issues. But one shouldn’t take this confidence for granted, there are still signs and symptoms that should raise some alarms for your child’s health. Here are three things you shouldn’t ignore for your child’s health to make sure they stay healthy at all times.

Sleep Habits

The first thing that you should never ignore when it comes to your child’s health is their sleep habits. Sleep is one of the most essential functions for our body to recover and grow, and sleep is especially important for children as they grow. If your child isn’t sleeping enough, sleeping at strange hours, sleeping too much, or you notice another sudden change to their typical sleep behavior, this could be a sign that something isn’t quite right. If you notice some changes to your child’s sleep habits, you should consult a doctor to make sure there isn’t an underlying issue.

Dental Health

Another thing that you should never ignore when it comes to your child’s health is their dental health. Taking care of your teeth and mouth is essential to avoid issues like cavities and tooth infections, which can permanently damage your child’s mouth. But there are also other habits your child can take on that can have serious dental health effects. Thumb sucking can end up causing damage to your child’s jaw. If your child has recently taken up thumb sucking, or has been thumb sucking past an acceptable age, you should talk with a dentist or orthodontist about how to rectify the problem to prevent further damage.

Obesity

The final thing that you shouldn’t ignore when it comes to your child’s health is obesity or weight gain issues. Obesity is a leading contributor to heart disease, cancers, hypertension, diabetes, and all sorts of other cardiovascular health issues. Children who are obese tend to stay obese throughout adulthood. It is important to teach your children a healthy relationship with weight, and how to maintain a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise.

Your child’s health is one of the most important things that you as a parent have to protect. But there are certain signs and symptoms that require special attention. Make sure that you aren’t ignoring these three areas of your child’s health to ensure their maximum health.

Check out this article on how to break your child’s fever!

When you live a hectic life, your daily diet tends to fall back on habit and convenience. You skip meals, open a bag of chips, or grab a doughnut with your morning coffee. Life is probably not going to calm down, but you can take some simple steps to eliminate junk from your diet.

Watch Out for Empty Calories

Your body needs calories for energy and to sustain basic functions. But watch out for empty calories—foods that have lots of calories but not much nutrition. Examples include soft drinks (including energy drinks), cookies, crackers, and pretty much any baked good. Beer, wine, and alcohol are also on the list.

You eat these because they're convenient and taste good. That means you need to find alternative tasty but nutritious foods to substitute for them and make them equally as convenient. Fruit, nuts, seeds, and cheese are all good replacements for junk.

Eat Fresher Foods

Processed foods aren't inherently bad—oatmeal, dried fruit, and yogurt are all processed in some way. But overly-processed foods tend to be packed with sugar, fat, or unhealthy additives. Sugary cereal, chips, ice cream, and even some high-sugar granola bars are ultra-processed.

If you make an effort to eat fresher foods, you will be less tempted to eat junk foods. It can be as simple as adding fresh fruits to your breakfast or carrying vegetables like celery or carrot sticks for a snack. You'll notice a difference in how you feel and look. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is great for your skin.

Avoid Fast Food

The occasional fast-food meal isn't going to hurt you, but if you're making a habit of it, you're eating junk. Fast food tends to contain high levels of sodium, trans fat, carbs, and sugar, if you have a soft drink. These can cause headaches, lead to water retention, and raise blood sugar levels.

Preparing your lunches ahead of time can help you avoid fast food. Many people set aside time on Sunday for preparing healthy lunches for each day of the week. Store them in the fridge and take one to work each day.

The best way to avoid junk food is to be prepared with healthier foods. They need to be delicious and easy to grab and go. Then, when you're busy and stressed, you'll have better convenience foods to choose from.

Check out this article on how to not let diet restrictions prevent you from eating healthy!

If you find yourself going to the dentist more often than for your regular dental cleanings, you may need to make some changes in your daily oral care. Simple brushing is not always enough to keep away cavities and maintain a healthy mouth. Try adding other tooth-care strategies to your routine.

Start a Habit of Flossing

Many people misunderstand the purpose of flossing. It's not just used to remove stuck pieces of food between your teeth. Instead, flossing is an essential part of daily dental care because it removes plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that builds up between your teeth and at the gum line. It contains bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. You should floss at least every time you brush to remove plaque where your toothbrush can't reach. Several styles of floss are available, so experiment until you find the kind you're comfortable with. Tiny brushes and plastic dental picks can also be used for hard-to-reach places.

Select the Right Toothpaste

With so many types of toothpaste available, it's difficult to decide what kind to choose. Toothpaste with fluoride has been shown to be effective in preventing cavities. There are also formulas for gum disease, tooth sensitivity, whitening, and anti-tartar. Selecting the right toothpaste can help protect your enamel, which you need for healthy teeth. Certain types of toothpaste strengthen the enamel of your teeth through a process called remineralization. This can fortify weak spots and protect your teeth against decay.

Use an Electric Toothbrush

The human hand just isn't designed to bend sufficiently to reach all parts of the mouth. That's where an electric toothbrush can help. It can reach areas you can't, and with a scrubbing motion that's been proven to remove more plaque and debris than a manual toothbrush.

With some electric toothbrush models, you can adjust the pressure. This is helpful if you have painful areas in your mouth. Just as with a manual toothbrush, the bristles can wear out over time and will need to be replaced.

The best way to avoid frequent trips to the dentist is to be proactive in providing the best home dental care you can. Making a few changes to your daily routine can make a big difference. Using the right tools, and in the right way, can keep your teeth strong and healthy.

Read this next: Complications That Can Arise When You Have Braces

Fevers are part of the body’s response to fighting infection. It can still be frightening, however, if your child has a particularly high fever. There are several safe ways to break your child’s fever before it gets dangerously high or goes on too long.  

Give Them a Bath

One way to break a child’s fever is by giving them a lukewarm bath. The trick with baths is to moderate the temperature; a bath that is too cold or too hot will not help bring your child’s temperature down. Baths are also great because they are generally very soothing and relaxing, which is good for a feverish child who is uncomfortably hot and not feeling their best. Feverish children are also usually very weak, so baths where they can sit are much better options than showers.

Give Them Pain Relievers

Pain relievers are often designed to bring temperatures down. Kids can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen if they’re at least six months old. Before giving pain relievers to your child, make sure you are administering the appropriate amount for their age and weight. Children’s bodies are usually quite small, so they can’t handle a lot of medication. Also, consider kid-friendly options like liquid or flavored medicine.

Make Sure They Are Properly Hydrated

Because a fever is often a response to bacterial or viral infection, drinking water to flush these toxins out of the body can help your child’s fever break and go away faster. Water is also known to improve all areas of health, so it is very beneficial when dealing with a fever and fever symptoms. Sometimes children with fevers sweat profusely and lose much of their appetite, which can result in major dehydration leading to headaches, weakness, and other health problems. Therefore, it is very important to make sure your child is drinking enough water when they have a fever to combat the sickness and the symptoms.

You may feel a little helpless trying to figure out how to break your child’s fever and watching them suffer from sickness. It is especially tricky figuring out what, if anything, are safe ways to treat your child’s illness. Opting for kid-friendly or kid-specific medicine and other researched and trusted methods can give you peace of mind when trying to help your child. With mindful care, your child can be up and about learning and playing in no time.

Check out this article for tips on how to spot and treat 4 common children's health issues!

Food is your body's fuel, giving it energy to think, breathe, run, jump, do work, and everything else that you do in a day. But not all food is created equally when it comes to properly fueling your body to run in peak condition. The modern diet involves a lot of processed foods, often with lots of added fats and sugars, that are having a big impact on human health. Yet, it can be challenging to eat properly, especially knowing what kinds of foods to target to include in your daily diet. Here are three things foods that you should focus on that will help you eat a more whole and healthy diet.

Whole Grains

The first food to focus on to help you eat a more whole and healthy diet is whole grains. When you think of grains, you probably don’t immediately think of healthy foods. But processed, bleached, grains are stripped of the portions of the grain that contain important nutrients, fiber, and proteins. Eating whole grains rather than processed cereals and breads can help introduce your body to the proper levels of fiber and provide a healthy and stable carbohydrate source to fuel your body throughout the day.

Fruits and Vegetables

The next foods to think about to help you eat a more whole and healthy diet is fruits and vegetables. This is a wide category, yes, but because so many people don’t include a fruit or vegetable in at least one meal per day. You should be eating fresh fruits and veggies every day, and preferably with every meal. Fruits and vegetables are incredible sources of vitamins and minerals that your body needs to perform all its functions daily. But fruits and veggies can even do more for your health. Fibrous fruits are great for your teeth by stimulating saliva production. Try to eat fruits and veggies with every meal.

Fresh Meat and Fish

The final foods to think of when trying to eat a more whole and healthy diet is consuming fresh meat and fish. It can be tempting to buy frozen or pre-prepared meat and fish from the grocery store. It is just so much easier to heat up a frozen chicken finger than grilling a chicken breast. But there are so many benefits to eating fresh meat and fish in your diet instead of resulting in processed and frozen meats.

Eating a whole, healthy diet is something that could make all of us a little healthier. So why, then, do so many people eat so poorly? Try and focus on these three types of foods to start eating a more whole and healthy diet that will make you better, stronger, and healthier.

Check out this article about 5 ingredients for a heart-healthy lifestyle!

If you’ve ever had braces or are preparing to have braces in the future, you’ll know that they can bring about marvelous results when it comes to straight, healthy teeth. You probably also know that braces can be a little bit difficult to take care of. If you’re interested in having braces in the future, here are a few possible complications that can arise that you should be aware of.

Tooth Sensitivity

First off, having braces can create some tooth sensitivity which can be annoying and painful. The first time that you get your braces put on your teeth, your teeth will likely be quite sensitive for a few days. You’ll also notice that your teeth are especially sensitive after you’ve been to the orthodontist to have your braces adjusted. When you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity it can even be difficult to brush your teeth without pain or irritation. If your tooth sensitivity is persisting and refuses to go away, make sure to take some mild pain medication such as Advil to help ease the pain.

Bad Breath

Another complication that you might experience with braces is bad breath. You’re more likely to have bad breath when you have braces because food particles can get stuck in your braces and create bacteria. This can create halitosis, which is another term for bad breath. There are certain foods that are sticky, starchy, and difficult to remove from your braces, which can cause bad breath to happen. You can avoid bad breath by choosing what foods you eat carefully.

Tartar and Plaque

If you aren’t super meticulous in your teeth cleaning, you will probably also experience complications with tartar and plaque. Plaque forms a sticky substance on your teeth that is made from food particles, saliva, and bacteria that mix in your mouth. If plaque isn’t properly cleaned off your teeth, it can harden into tartar. Tartar can stain your teeth and develop even more plaque on the surface of your teeth. Both plaque and tartar can lead to the infection and decay of your teeth, and you’ll likely develop cavities if it isn’t treated correctly.

Don’t forget these common complications that arise when you have braces. The more you know about the complications that you might face, the better prepared you’ll be to combat and take care of these issues. As always, make sure that you consult with your dentist or orthodontist for a professional opinion on how to resolve any complications or issues that you have.

Check out this article on how to prevent developmental issues in your children!

The day you get your braces will mark an important time in your life. You will experience many changes in the short term as you go through the process of straightening your teeth. You will also undergo permanent changes that will stay with you through a lifetime.

Improve Your Confidence Over Time

When the braces first go on your teeth, you’ll probably feel a little self-conscious, but as time goes on you will get used to your temporarily changed appearance. Better yet, you will find yourself gaining confidence as the procedures continue because you will be able to envision the end result of a beautiful and healthy smile.

For children, straightened teeth can give them a lift in self-esteem and help them feel less shy. Adults who get braces look forward to being able to smile with ease when being introduced to a new business associate.

Change What You Eat

Braces will cause you to change your diet, at least for the short term. You won’t be able to eat foods that are chewy, sticky, or hard because they can break your appliances. Nuts and seeds can also be a problem. You won’t be able to freely munch on raw carrots, but you can still get your nutrition. Cooking vegetables will soften them so you can enjoy them when you have braces.

On the other hand, you may find yourself gaining good dietary habits by avoiding junk food like hard candy, caramels, and chewing gum. These foods are unhealthy whether you have braces or not.

Develop Better Dental Habits

Having braces will cause you to change the way you clean your teeth. Food will stick in the tiny spaces around the braces, and you will want to brush more often. Moreover, you’ll need to floss, and you’ll have to use threader floss to fit between your braces. A water flosser is also effective.

These habits should stay with you, even after the braces are removed. You are making a long-term investment in your teeth, and you will want to keep them healthy and sound. 

Getting braces will change your life in many positive ways. As you adapt to the differences, just keep your eyes on the day the orthodontist will remove the last of your braces. On that day, you will look into the mirror and be greeted by a wonderful smile.

Check out this article on how to prevent the need for serious dental procedures!

Diet restrictions can make eating healthy more difficult. This can eliminate certain foods that are healthy and keep you stuck eating the same foods. To not let diet restrictions prevent you from eating healthy you should eat more diverse foods, seek out alternatives, and cut down on processed food.

Eat More Diverse Foods

Diversity in food is something that is often recommended but rarely explained. Essentially, it’s all about ensuring that you get enough nutrients. Eating the same foods repeatedly may be easy to do, but it can also cause some nutrient deficiencies. A diverse diet can be as simple as making sure that you have foods from each of the macronutrients as well as fruits and vegetables. You can also have different foods across the week to get a diverse diet. Where diversity matters the most is in fruits and vegetables as these each contain vitamins and minerals important for health.

Seek Out Alternatives

There are many nutrients that are essential for the healthy function of your body. You need both macro and micronutrients to function optimally. You need sufficient carbohydrates, fats, and protein as well as vitamins and minerals. If you have certain diet restrictions, you should ensure that you aren’t missing out on important nutrients. For example, if you have a dairy sensitivity or allergy, you should still look for ways to consume calcium in your diet. There are many great non-dairy sources of calcium you can consume. You can get calcium from foods like chia seeds, flax seeds, and dark leafy greens.

Cut Down on Processed Foods

Whatever your diet restriction, cutting down on processed foods is one of the best ways to eat healthy. Processed foods are often loaded with preservatives, unhealthy fats, sugar, and are highly palatable which makes them easy to overeat. While they do provide many calories, they won’t provide as many nutrients as whole foods. Processed food really is a spectrum; frozen or canned fruits and vegetables go through a level of processing, but if they are packaged without added sugar or salt, they will be a healthier option than other processed foods.

To help you eat healthy with diet restrictions you can eat more diverse foods, seek out food alternatives, and cut down on processed food. This may take some work at first but will get easier with time. As you work to eat a healthier diet, your body will feel and function more optimally.

Check out this article to learn about the signs that you aren’t getting enough fiber!