We understand how crazy and stressful this time of year can be. There’s so much to do and yet it feels like there’s not enough time to do it! No fear, we’re not here to add anything to the list. Instead, we’re here with a few helpful tips to keep your children’s smile healthy.
We highly encourage staying on top of your child's daily oral health habits once school is back in session. We suggest having them brush their teeth after breakfast and before school to ensure a healthy, fresh smile at the start of their day. After lunch, encourage your student(s) to rinse down their meal with some water. This will help minimize the effects of sugary foods and drinks. If you want to ensure they get an extra good clean after lunch (especially important during orthodontic treatment), pack their bag with a travel-size toothbrush to brush mid-day. Since it’s small and easy to use, they can use it in the bathroom or at the drinking fountain. Then finally make sure they brush again at bedtime!
Alright, let’s talk sports! For our student athletes that are interested in playing a contact sport, make sure they have a well-fitted mouthguard. A custom-fitted mouthguard fabricated at our office will protect your child from injuries to their teeth, face, and can even provide protection from severe injuries to the head. If your child does encounter a dental injury, make sure to call our office right away and we can triage what needs to be done to properly restore the tooth. Also, be careful with sports drinks! They often contain a lot of sugar so it's best not to drink too much. If possible, opt for the sugar-free version!
As we mentioned before, we’re not here to add another thing to your plate, but it is important that your children visit the dentist regularly. With proper dental hygiene, tooth decay is 100 percent preventable. And since baby teeth are vulnerable to decay from their very first appearance, children’s teeth should be brushed for two minutes two times a day, and flossed as soon as they start touching. Between visits, make sure you establish a good oral health routine and healthy eating habits with your child. Creating these consistent routines helps them stick with it as they grow up.
Lastly, we wanted to take a moment to point out that tooth decay is the number one chronic infectious disease among children in the U.S.! On average, students miss more than 51 million school hours each year because of dental problems or related conditions. A check-up every six months is recommended in order prevent cavities and other dental problems.
That’s all! From all of us here at Shore Pediatric Dental Group, we wish you the best of luck this back-to-school season!