Back-to-school season is upon us. Whether your child will be learning from home or in the classroom, a healthy smile is still a back-to-school essential. Getting dental check-ups and teeth cleanings every six months is an important part of your child’s oral health routine. Here are some helpful tips to keep your child’s smile healthy and picture-perfect.
- Practice and reward good oral hygiene
- Encourage healthy eating habits – this includes avoiding cavity-causing items such as sugary and acidic beverages (soda and juices) as well as sugary, sticky, chewy foods
- Pack healthy lunches
- Check your child’s mouth periodically, looking for signs of cavities, discoloration, stains and, plaque buildup
- If your child participates in sports and has braces, make sure he or she wears a properly fitted mouth guard to protect their teeth. For information about our custom-made mouth guards for your child, contact our office
Early detection helps avoid further complications
Children have particularly experienced an increase in cavities due to being more relaxed with personal hygiene and an increase in snacking while spending more time at home. With summer activities, normal routines are often interrupted, which can also lead to bad habits. Regular dental cleanings every 6 months will allow our pediatric dentists to pinpoint any underlying issues ahead of time. Your child may be able to avoid missing school for additional appointments that may be needed to treat tooth decay or tooth pain.
Did you know one of the main reasons kids miss school is dental-related problems?
What should you expect during a dental exam?
Our pediatric dentists will make sure your child’s teeth are healthy. Even if you and your child brush their teeth well, a dental cleaning is essential. It is almost impossible to get rid of all the plaque that can lead to tooth decay without a professional teeth cleaning.
In addition, we may take x-rays to see how your child’s teeth are developing and make sure the tooth roots are healthy. Another benefit to x-rays is detecting decay in between the teeth at the beginning stages that cannot be seen simply by looking in the mouth.
Sealants may also be recommended at your child’s dental checkup if the pediatric dentist notices deep grooves in the back molars. It is a great way to keep your child from getting cavities by preventing bacteria and food from building up on the tooth. In fact, having sealants on your permanent molars reduces the risk of cavities by 80%!
Back-to-school with braces
Here are helpful tips we’ve put together to help make your child’s experience stress-free!
- Discuss with your child how to find time to brush after lunch.
- Be sure to discuss healthy eating habits as well and what to avoid with their braces.
- Pack a “braces kit” for school that includes the following:
- orthodontic diet chart
- toothpaste
- toothbrush
- floss
- super floss
- interproximal toothbrush
- flosser
- wax
