It is nearly that time again, and preparation for the new school year is well underway for many. While you may have been busy buying new backpacks and other essential school supplies, what about your child’s dental health? Is it ready for the brand-new semester? Listed below are a few easy tips to make sure your kid has a healthy smile when they go back to school.
Book Regular Dental Checkups
The summer vacation is a great time to schedule a dental checkup and hygiene appointment, but time is running out fast! A dental checkup and professional dental cleaning in Whitby will help to ensure your kid goes back to school with a super clean and healthy mouth. Also, make sure your child is up to date with any recommended dental treatments.
Make Sure Your Kid Has a Regular Dental Routine
Everybody will benefit from sticking to a regular dental routine so ensure your child is in the habit of cleaning their teeth first thing in the morning and before they go to school and last thing at night. Teeth cleaning should be non-negotiable!
Don’t Skip Flossing
Flossing is another essential step in your child’s daily dental care routine. A toothbrush cannot reach in between teeth, and those contact areas are the very places where plaque and food can build up, causing infection and decay. Don’t forget that we can always demonstrate better and easier flossing techniques.
Get Your Child Involved with Choosing Their Toothbrush and Toothpaste
As children get older, they want to become more self-sufficient and giving them the chance to pick something for themselves gives them a sense of ownership and control. Letting your child choose their toothpaste and an appropriate toothbrush could help them to become more excited about dental care. You might also want to put together a small dental kit for them to take to school, and especially if they wear braces or have other dental appliances that need cleaning regularly.
Talk to Your Child About the Importance of Oral Hygiene
As children grow up, it’s important that they understand why good oral hygiene is so crucial and that they know how it can help to prevent cavities and other dental problems. Our dental team here at Margolian Dentistry can also talk to your kid about the importance of oral hygiene, using terms that are easy for them to understand and which hopefully ensure learning is fun too.
Stock Up on Healthy Snacks for School
Active kids need a well-balanced diet so if you can, make sure their lunch includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and yogurt-based dips or hummus. Cheese is another good snack that will provide tooth-friendly calcium. Try to steer clear of chips, dried fruit and fruit leather. Chips tend to stick to teeth for hours, and fruit leather and dried fruit are full of sugar. Instead of sugar-laden energy drinks and fruit juice, pack a reusable bottle of plain water which is great for hydration and teeth.
Get a Custom Mouthguard for Sports Mad Children
If your child is a keen sports player, you almost certainly want to encourage this healthy habit, but if there’s any chance they could take a blow to the mouth, ask us about a custom-made, sports mouthguard in Oshawa. Unlike mouthguards that you can buy over the counter, ours fit precisely over the teeth, providing maximum protection for their teeth and jaws. Because they are comfortable to wear, it’s far more likely your child will use a custom mouthguard. It could save a lot of heartache in the future and will give you peace of mind.
