Summer is coming to a close, and the kids are heading back to school. Busy parents are shopping for school supplies and new clothes. While it's essential to prepare your kids for the school year, their oral health also plays a crucial role in their overall well-being.
The Back-to-School Dental Checklist
Your dentist in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, has created some "back-to-school dental tips" for parents to include in their regular preparations for the school year. Here's what you should know.
#1 Book the Back-to-School Dental Visit
This important dental checkup and teeth cleaning ensure that your child is ready for the school year. Staying on top of potential oral health issues identified during routine checkups can help protect your child's oral health and prevent uncomfortable dental emergencies, missed school time, and the discomfort of compromised teeth.
Extra Credit: Parents get bonus points for booking the dental checkup before school starts, so kids don't have to miss any class time.
#2 Smart Lunch Box Choices
Making your child's lunch doesn't have to be stressful when you have some good ideas and healthy snacks ready ahead of time. Here are some suggestions for healthy school lunches:
- Crunchy Fruits and Veggies — Fruits and vegetables help to neutralize the acids in the mouth that cause tooth decay and cavities. Choose items like carrots, apples, cucumbers, and celery. Cut carrots, apples, and celery into bite-sized pieces to avoid your child cracking or chipping a tooth when they bite directly into them.
- Lean Proteins — Choose turkey or chicken for lean protein sandwiches. Chicken, tuna, or egg salad are also great protein-packed choices for healthy sandwiches. Nuts and seeds are packed with healthy fats and protein that promote oral health and are also a delicious snack.
- Calcium Rich Choices — Items like string cheese and yogurt deliver calcium into your child's diet. Calcium also neutralizes cavity-causing acids and helps to strengthen developing tooth enamel.
Extra Credit: Bonus points for parents who choose plain yogurt to help minimize their child's sugar intake.
#3 Amp Up Their Home Care Routine
Summer is filled with lazy days, relaxed schedules, and lax routines. Back-to-school is the perfect time to get routines back on track and even enhance them.
Give your child an incentive for brushing and flossing by stocking up on their favorite toothbrushes or toothpaste. This is also a great time to discuss with your dentist the addition of an antibacterial mouth rinse to their routine for extra protection against cavities.
If you're not already doing so, consider using a timer during brushing time to ensure your child achieves their full two minutes of brushing, which ideally should be 30 seconds per quadrant. An electric toothbrush provides a timer and signals to alert your child when it's time to switch to a new quadrant.
Extra Credit: Motivate younger children to get back on track with consistent brushing with an achievement chart that tracks their daily progress. Small rewards, such as ice cream or a trip to the movies, can provide an incentive for them to complete their daily brushing routine.
#4 Protecting Young Smiles
Dental emergencies during the school year are the worst! It's stressful for families and teachers when children are in pain and have to miss valuable class time. Did you know there are some simple steps you can take to protect your child's smile from tooth decay, damage, or injuries? Here are some treatments that your Oakbrook Terrace dentist may recommend to help protect your child's developing smile.
- Fluoride Treatment — This is an easy procedure to incorporate into your child's routine teeth cleaning appointment. Fluoride helps promote strong, developing tooth enamel and remineralization, which prevents tooth decay.
- Dental Sealants — Clear plastic coatings that protect the chewing surfaces of your child's molars by blocking against the acids and bacteria that cause tooth decay.
- Custom Sports Guards — Did you know that nearly half of the dental emergencies we see are caused by sports injuries? If your child participates in sports, a custom mouthguard is a must. It protects their teeth and mouth from injuries without interfering with their game-day performance.
Extra Credit: Dental sealants are a quick, affordable, and non-invasive procedure that protects your child's smile from the damage caused by tooth decay and cavities. Some dental insurances even offer coverage to help defray the cost of dental sealants, leaving parents with little to no out-of-pocket expense.
#5 Planning for the Future
Children should have their first orthodontic evaluation by age seven or eight. Some children can benefit from early orthodontic intervention that addresses tooth crowding and bite alignment concerns during their growth period. Those who don't need early intervention can be reevaluated around age 12 to 14.
Extra Credit: Lead by example! Don't forget to schedule your own routine teeth cleaning and dental checkup.
Contact George Rivera, DDS
We make it simple for busy families to access the dental care they need at our Chicago dental office by offering convenient morning, evening, and Saturday appointments. Contact our team at (630) 592-4949 to schedule your child's next appointment or request a dental visit online.
We look forward to seeing your family through a happy, healthy school year!