The summer is what children look forward to all year. Eager to be out of school, their desire to stay up late, play outside, and eat junk food seems to be what fuels them during these carefree days. Unfortunately, it can also cause them to fall out of habit with their oral hygiene routines, too. When it’s time to prepare for the start of another school year, what can you do to ensure that their smiles remain on track? Here are 4 back-to-school oral hygiene tips to keep in mind if you want them to receive a good report at their next dental visit.
Schedule Your Child’s Six-Month Dental Appointments
Because the school year can quickly become busy with sports, meetings, extracurricular activities, and other obligations, go ahead and try to schedule your child’s next two dentist appointments.
Making sure they see their dentist every six months will help to keep their teeth and gums in check so that decay and infection do not have time to cause significant problems. Instead, these visits allow the professionals to clear away accumulated bacteria and check for any early signs of cavities or bite misalignment that might need to be addressed.
Practice Regular Brushing and Flossing at Home
Apart from their twice-yearly dental appointments, make sure that your child is brushing twice each day, flossing at least once (before bed), and if they are old enough, rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash.
This routine makes it possible so that your child can wake up and go to bed every night with a fresher, healthier smile. As a result, they’ll remain confident in their appearance when going to school and avoid missing class instruction because of a nagging toothache.
Pack Healthy Lunches
Although your child may beg you for a bag of chips and a few cookies to go along with their sandwich, leave these as special treats. While they are fine to have now and then, regularly send your child to school with healthier food options such as fruits and vegetables and lean proteins.
Too much sugar and starch can lead to the development of cavities and gum disease – both of which can require extensive restorative dental work if left untreated.
Ask About Preventive Services
While at your child’s next dentist’s appointment, don’t hesitate to ask about other preventive services that will better protect their smile. Maybe fluoride treatment or dental sealants are what your little one needs to safeguard against dental decay throughout the year.
There is a good chance that your child’s dentist will go over these options with you and create a treatment plan to make sure that their teeth remain properly protected against harmful plaque and tartar.
As you and your child prepare for the upcoming school year, make sure you are taking the necessary steps to help them spend more time in class and less time in the dentist’s office.
About the Practice
Collinsville Dental Associates has been helping residents embrace high-quality dental care for more than three decades. With state-of-the-art dentistry in an updated, comfortable atmosphere, our team of qualified dentists is pleased to offer services to both children and adults. If your little one is struggling to get back on track with their oral health and hygiene routine, visit our website or call (276) 647-1494 to learn more about how we can help you.