It’s that time of year again - back-to-school. This transition can be busy and stressful, but we don’t want your child’s dental health to be lost in the mix. So if your child has been slacking off with their dental routine this summer, now is the perfect time to brush up on good cleaning habits, and remembering important dental care items for school, like mouthguards!
Your Dental Back To School Checklist
We’ve created a list of things your family should do before the school year starts to get your children’s teeth on the right track. Dental problems are the number one reason that kids are pulled out of school, and most of these cases are preventable. Your child’s back-to-school dental checklist should include these dental tips:
Make Your Dental Appointments Early
We suggest that you come for a routine dental visit at least twice a year, and most likely one of those visits will be during the school year. The American Dental Association says that a dental examination is as important as booster shots and immunizations. School systems release their calendars a year in advance so it’s easy for you to schedule your appointments around teacher workdays and early release days. This way, your child will miss less school days. We are busiest on teacher workdays and early release days, so make sure you’re booking those early.
Alter Your Morning and Night Time Routine
As your “lazy” summers come to an end, so should your “lazy summer” routines. It might take some time to get used to the new schedule. Most kids skip brushing, flossing or both in the morning because they are too busy getting ready for school. Don’t let this happen to your family. Use a chart to track your child’s progress, so every time they brush in the morning and at night they will earn a sticker. There are so many different videos and songs you can play to make sure they are brushing for two minutes.
Choose Healthy Snacks
When your child is at school, you might not have the option to keep track of nutritional intake. It’s important to go over healthy eating habits. The first thing kids want when they get home from school is a snack. Instead of grabbing chips or crackers for them, try nuts. Juice and soda can be harmful to tooth enamel, so try water or milk instead. Veggies and fruit are always the best option. Make a list of all the healthy foods your child likes and give them a choice every day. Low-fat, low-sugar foods will help protect your children from tooth decay and other diseases.. so snack smart!
Pick Up A New Toothbrush
Nothing will get your child more excited to brush than a new toothbrush. It might be hard to remember when to change out a toothbrush, so try changing them every time their report card comes out. There are so many different types of toothbrushes out there; it can be hard to decide which one is best. We recommend a soft-bristled, small-headed brush for most kids. Parent tip: we will send your child home with a toothbrush after their visit, so you can use that as a guide for your next purchase or ask any of our staff what to look for when buying a brush.
Why Mouthguards are an Important Back to School Checklist Item
These are just a few tips to help keep your child’s teeth healthy and strong as they begin a new school year. We want your child to be their best from the dental chair to the classroom. It is our mission to help your child achieve a cavity-free, healthy smile, along with healthy dental habits they will use for the rest of their life.
What can you, as a parent, do to help avoid serious injury for your young athlete? A mouthguard is one way to ensure maximum protection. While you could get a stock mouthguard at a sporting goods store, the best protection will come from a custom-fit piece of equipment. For that, you should visit your dentist’s office to get the proper fit for your child. There are a few types of mouthguards that are available.
Custom Fit Mouthguards for Kids
The first kind is a custom fit mouthguard; this is the type we recommend. These are made personally from the dentist’s office, they will usually be more expensive because they are unique to each patient. Custom mouthguards are universally recommended by several major sports dentists and athletic organizations for their superior fit and ability to prevent injury.
Your mouthguard should also be tailored to your sport. You need to be protected in different ways depending on what you’re playing.
Boil and Bite Mouthguard
The second one is the most popular kind of mouthguard - the boil and bite. These are the ones that are found in most sporting goods or drug stores. With these, you boil them to soften the material and then you bit into them to shape into your mouth. While this is a better option than no mouthguard, the fit isn’t always the most reliable or protective.
A Lower Cost Stock Mouthguard for Kids
Your cheapest option would be the stock mouthguard. These come pre-formed and ready to wear; they usually don’t fit very well and it can make breathing and talking difficult.
After purchasing the correct mouthguard, it’s important to know how to care for it. After games, rinse it thoroughly with soap and water or brush it with a toothpaste. Make sure you are storing it in a clean and dry place between games. When you come visit the office for checkups, make sure that you bring it with you so the dentist can make sure it still fits properly. Teens and children will need replacement more frequently because their mouths are always changing. Once you have the proper fit make sure you are storing it in a clean, safe and dry area. You should have a sturdy container with air holes that is suitable for frequent travel.
The mouthguard has evolved from being that bulky piece of wood and cotton to a comfortable fit that is nearly unnoticeable to the wearer. It’s amazing that such a small item can do so much. Your child is at risk for head, jaw, and mouth injuries every time they step out on the court or field. Let us help you prevent these injuries by fitting you with the correct mouthguard that fits properly and comfortably. And did you know we can do this all in one day? Our dentists can even customize the colors from every mouth guard to match your team’s colors! Are you ready to make your appointment to get yours fitted? Game on!
School Rules for Improving Kids Dental Health
With over 51 million school hours missed per year because of dental problems, we think it’s pretty safe to say that taking steps to prevent dental problems and dental emergencies in school age children is a good idea. Here are some back to school dental tips and reminders for our patient's and their families.
Supervise Dental Hygiene
In younger children, this is especially important. Instruct them on proper brushing and flossing. Check their work to make sure they have cleaned all the way in back and behind their front teeth. Talk about healthy teeth, and the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene.
Don’t Skip Regular Dental Check-Ups
The best way to avoid the need for extensive dental work is to detect problems early. Seeing the dentist every six months for and exam and dental cleaning makes this possible, and prevents small problems from turning into bigger, more expensive and more time consuming problems.
Did Your Teen Get Their Braces Off This Summer?
Make sure they are wearing their retainers! Orthodontic relapse is seen in young adults as old as 25! Retainers are designed to maintain the position of the teeth, and must be worn as often as prescribed by the orthodontist. Keep teeth from shifting by helping your teen make sure they are compliant with the use of their retainers.
Pack A Healthy Lunch
The foods we eat can impact our dental health. Pack fresh veggies and fruits for a vitamin packed energy burst. Avoid sugary drinks and sodas in the lunch box. Cheese is a great snack option because it has recently been shown to help protect teeth against cavities!
Choose Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry for Your Kids Dental Health
Choose the experts at Charlotte Pediatric's Dental offices for all your questions related to kids dental health. Our team is happy to answer any questions you have!
Speak with a kids dental health expert today.
