Just like that, back-to-school season is here again! If your child’s next dental exam is rapidly approaching, you may be wondering what you can do to help them pass with flying colors. If so, you’re in the right place. Here are five helpful, back-to-school-specific oral hygiene tips for your student.
Tip #1: Establish a Solid At-Home Dental Care Routine
Between long days at the pool and sleepovers with friends, your child may have fallen out of their usual dental care regimen over the summer. That’s okay – there’s no time like the present to get back on-track! That starts with brushing for a full two minutes each morning and evening and extends to flossing and rinsing with mouthwash when they are old enough (usually around 12 or 13).
Tip #2: Pack Smile-Friendly Lunches
When putting together your child’s lunch, it’s important to consider the taste and their teeth. After all, whatever they eat at school will sit on their teeth until they come home that afternoon! So, do your best to provide smile-friendly foods, like lean protein, healthy carbs, cooked vegetables, and low-sugar desserts.
Tip #3: Discourage Unhealthy Dental Habits
Does your child suck their thumb when they get nervous? Do they chew on their pencil while working on homework? Is nail-biting their go-to response to feeling stress? These unhealthy dental habits can wreak havoc on their oral health, so it’s best to calmly redirect their behavior. Finding an alternative, like squeezing a stress ball or chewing on sugar-free gum might be helpful!
Tip #4: Get a Mouthguard If Your Child Plays Sports
Does back-to-school season mean sports season for your kiddo? Whether they participate in a contact or non-contact sport, it’s a good idea to talk to their dentist about a custom mouthguard. That way, their smile is protected from rogue baseballs, accidental elbows to the face, and strong tackles.
Tip #5: Encourage Them to Drink Lots of Water
Although delicious, sodas, sports drinks, lemonade, and fruit juices are often loaded with one cavity-causing ingredient: sugar. So, while it’s okay for your child to indulge every once in a while, it’s best to stick to water the majority of the time.
As a parent, you naturally want your child to pass their next dental exam with flying colors. The good news is that implementing the above tips can help you do just that!
About the Practice
Our team at Simply Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics wants your child’s smile to thrive both in and out of the classroom. To help, we’re happy to share all of our tips and tricks with our patients and their families. Plus, we can help with everything from routine checkups to smile-transforming braces! So, if it’s time for your child’s biannual visit or you want to learn more about orthodontic treatment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (781) 767-7200.