It’s that time of year again, you’re sending your child back to school. It’s where they’ll make new friends, expand their knowledge, and learn valuable life lessons from their teachers and peers. It’s also where they might snack on candy, chew on pencils, and engage in other habits that aren’t good for their teeth. Your children’s dentist in Center is here to give you a few handy tips that will help you keep your little one’s smile in great shape this school year.
Schedule a Checkup
The beginning of the school year is a great time to schedule a cleaning and checkup for your child. The dentist and hygienist can give them valuable advice on how to brush and floss their teeth, and you can ask any questions you might have regarding oral healthcare for young mouths.
Think About Nutrition
If you pack your child’s lunch for them, be sure to include smile-friendly foods. For example, milk is rich in calcium and other nutrients that promote a healthy mouth. Crunchy fruits and veggies, like apples and celery, are good for cleaning the gums and promoting saliva production. It’s okay to give your child an occasional treat in their lunchbox, but try to make sure that cookies, sugary fruit snacks, and other sweet goodies aren’t part of the daily menu.
Make Time for Brushing Every Morning
It can be a challenge to make sure your kids are ready to go to school on time, but don’t let the morning chaos damage their oral health! Remind them to brush their teeth every day after breakfast, especially if their morning meal included sweet cereal, orange juice, or other sugary foods.
Talk to Your Child About Oral Health
The more your child knows about the consequences of poor oral health habits (like eating too much sugar), the more likely they are to avoid harmful activities when they’re at school. Using age-appropriate phrasing, explain to them how cavities form and why it’s important to keep their teeth and gums in good shape.
Provide Safety Reminders
Kids love to be active during recess. They might play ball, dash around on the playground, or see who can run the fastest. These activities are great for their overall health, but if they don’t take appropriate precautions, they could end up taking a fall that damages their teeth. Be sure to offer reminders on how your child can play safely when they’re conquering the monkey bars, playing tetherball, or testing out their cool new sneakers. For example, you can encourage them not to be pressured into trying dangerous tricks and make sure they know how to tie their shoes securely so they don’t trip over the laces.
It’s back to school time! We hope this year is full of healthy and happy smiles for you and your little ones.
About the Author
Dr. Mireya Martinez is proud to work alongside Dr. Thomas Youngblood to provide top-quality oral healthcare to children in Center. She loves working with young patients and teaching them how to adopt good habits that set them up for a lifetime of excellent oral health. If it is time for your child’s next checkup, you can schedule an appointment with one of our doctors by contacting us at 936-657-1942.