Between vacations, cookouts, and camping, your family’s summer has probably been pretty booked. Preparing to send your child back to school might have snuck up on you.
However, a healthy smile is a back-to-school essential. Regular dental check-ups are important to fight the most common dental disease affecting school-age children: cavities. Dental disease causes children to miss more than 51 million school hours each year.
Avoiding Cavities
Parents can help their children have a great, cavity-free check-up by following the tips below.
- Brushing and flossing properly and regularly. Encourage your kids to brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day. Make sure you watch your child brush their teeth the first couple of times to make sure they are doing it correctly. Use a sticker calendar, let them listen to music, let your child pick their own toothbrush, or set a timer or download an app to help motivate them.
- Picking the right snacks. Instead of chips and crackers which tend to stick to the teeth, try packing nuts. Avoid candies and granola bars and opt for crunchy snacks like celery sticks, baby carrots, and cheese cubes.
- Planning ahead. Pick a time when you know your child won’t be overwhelmed by activities or tired and cranky. Make sure they eat a light meal before. Help them make positive associations with going to the dentist.
Catching Issues Ahead of Time
We can help spot and take care of issues so your child doesn’t have to miss class time. One of our dentists will check to make sure your child’s bite is in a good position and teeth are lining up correctly. We can keep an eye on any issues that may show up later.
Give your child a fresh start to the new school year. Schedule your fall check-up appointments as soon as possible.
Set up your appointment at Breckenridge Dental today!