Good habits are set early, and it’s never a bad time to help your child “brush” up their dental skills so they can enjoy a happy, healthy mouth for the rest of their lives! Many parents want to help their child build great dental habits but aren’t sure where to start. Here at Children’s Dental Center, we’re all about helping your child achieve a healthy smile that is both beautiful and functional. To learn more about dental tips for school children that we recommend, keep reading below.
Back-to-school checkups
Immunizations and booster shots have been part of getting ready to go back to school for a long time, and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that dental checkups be part of that routine, too.
Tooth decay is a very common issue in young children, with the CDC reporting that cavities are the most common chronic disease for children 6-19 years of age. It’s even more common than asthma. In fact, children with poor dental health will often end up missing school for a number of issues associated with tooth decay. Attendance is important for successful learning, so this is a problem dental professionals like Children’s Dental Center are determined to tackle!
When you schedule a back-to-school checkup with our Memphis office, one of our expert doctors will perform a thorough examination and cleaning of your child’s mouth. We may take x-rays as well if your child is due for them. This gives us the chance to rule out any potential cavities or concerns we aren’t able to see by observation alone.
A check-up around August or September will not only provide your child with the regular dental care they need throughout the year, but can also help prevent unnecessary missed school days.
Create an A+ dental hygiene routine
There are specific guidelines set by the ADA that are crucial to proper oral hygiene for children, including brushing their teeth twice daily for two minutes at a time and flossing every night before bed.
Talk with your child about the importance of these tasks, teaching by example if necessary. We also recommend changing out your child’s toothbrush every 3-4 months, after any sickness, or if the bristles begin losing their shape. If you have a hard time remembering when it’s time to switch them out, plan to do it every time report cards come home to keep things simple.
Keep snacks and lunches healthy and varied
Regular dental visits and proper oral hygiene are obviously important, but so are healthy snacks and lunches! These provide your child with the vitamins and nutrients they need to develop healthy teeth that are less prone to cavities.
This is easy enough to manage during school breaks when you’re in charge of the menu, but when kids go back to school, it can be more difficult to monitor what your child is eating. This is especially true if they prefer to buy their lunch rather than take a packed one. If this is the case with your child, check the school menu ahead of time so you’ll know what options are available.
Go over the menu with your child and discuss how important it is to make healthy choices such as whole grains, raw veggies, milk, cheese, yogurt, and fruit. And don’t forget about after-school snacks! Be sure to have plenty of delicious, mouth-healthy items stocked in the kitchen ahead of time.
Keep your child’s smile safe with a mouthguard
If your child plays sports regularly for their school or in the community, you’ve probably already had to deal with an injury or two! The team at Children’s Dental Center recommends that children wear a mouthguard whenever they are participating in an activity that carries a risk of contact with players or equipment, or one where falling is likely.
Most people tend to think of sports like football and hockey as the most dangerous to the teeth, but nearly half of all sports-related mouth injuries occur in basketball and baseball! A properly fitted mouthguard can help protect your child’s mouth from injury if they are tackled, elbowed, or if they fall down. Our doctors are also happy to recommend the best mouthguard for your child’s mouth!
Trust your child’s smile to Children’s Dental Center
Here at Children’s Dental Center, we have everything it takes to build a solid foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles for your child. We have four highly trained and experienced dentists, who, along with the rest of our skilled staff, are proud to provide only the highest quality care for families in Memphis and the surrounding communities. We offer a wide variety of dental services, from general dentistry to cosmetic/restorative procedures to emergency care.
Ready to help your child build great dental habits and smile with confidence? Get in contact with us today to schedule an appointment!