Gateway Family Dental Blog
Back-To-School Dental Health Tips
It’s that time of the year again. It’s the beginning of the school year, when we put away the swimsuits and bring out the school books and pencils. To be ready for school in the fall, there is a lot of preparation work as a parent, but one essential thing that shouldn’t be forgotten is proper dental care. In order to ensure your kid maintains their healthy smile throughout the school year, here are some tips to keep in mind as your kids go back to school:
Develop a Dental Routine
It’s important to teach your kids good dental hygiene habits early in life so they will be better equipped to maintain good oral health, which also improves overall health. Most children don’t understand the concept of time, which often results in failure to brush their teeth for the appropriate amount of time. There are fun-looking tooth brushing timers that can help you and your child track how long they brush their teeth. Make sure they brush their teeth a minimum of two times a day.
Make Sure Your Child Wears a Mouth Guard
Some of the most common sports injuries are dental related. Youth athletics are an essential part of life for kids, and mouth injuries can easily happen. Get a custom-fitted mouth guard before their sport starts.
Pack a Healthy Lunch
Make sure your kids are well equipped with a healthy lunch. Avoid sodas and fruit juices, as they are more acidic and break down tooth enamel. Cheeses are a great lunch addition because they have recently been shown to help protect teeth against cavities by protecting the enamel. By including a portable healthy lunch, you can help manage the food your child eats.
Schedule Twice-Per-Year Appointments with Your Dentist
While home dental care is very important, regular dental visits are also necessary. A dentist will provide a deep cleaning of your child’s teeth, a proper oral examination and will address any potential issues—such as cavities or gum disease. Finding these problems early on will prevent them intensifying in the future.
To schedule a back-to-school dental exam, contact Gateway Family Dentistry in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and let your child’s smile shine for the new school year. Contact our office at (615) 610-1377.
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