You might feel the rush of getting your child back to school as the date nears. While you are busy checking off things from the long list of to-dos, make sure your child does not miss out on a back-to-school dental check-up! Getting your child checked for dental ailments before he/she heads back to school is an integral part of his/her entire school year. Even if your child’s teeth look clean, white and shiny on the outside, there can be dental decay lurking around on the inside!
Here’s a list of things you should follow for your child to start his/her school year with a healthy smile
1) Dental Supply Stock Up:
Did you know that you should be replacing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months? If your child’s toothbrush is wearing out, it means it’s time to replace it. Worn out toothbrush’s bristles are ineffective at cleaning your child’s teeth. If your child does not like the toothpaste you use, consider buying a child-friendly tasty toothpaste. To prevent childhood cavities, you need to be diligent with your child’s oral care. Getting your child acquainted with kid-friendly dental supplies will be a start of maintaining excellent oral health.
2) Follow a routine:
Children should be brushing their teeth twice a day, and flossing at night after dinner to keep their mouths healthy. Setting a method for a diligent oral health care routine for your child will help maintain good dental hygiene. It is essential to supervise your child’s dental routine to make sure he/she is following the routine diligently until he/she is old enough to clean his/her teeth. Set a morning routine and an afternoon routine, which is fun, to help younger children maintain good oral health.
3) Swap sugars for something healthy:
When you pack your child’s lunch, make sure there is not a lot of items with sugar. Sugars have been a culprit in tooth decay, therefore swapping it out for healthy foods like veggies, fruits, nuts, cheese, etc. can help your child in maintaining good dental hygiene. Also, try to avoid foods like crackers and chips, as these foods often stick to the teeth, which eventually leads to tooth decay. In the end, try replacing sodas and other juices with plain water.
4) Imbibing Dental Habits at home:
When your child follows a routine, it becomes easy to maintain good dental hygiene. In this routine, you need to make sure your child is brushing carefully for two minutes daily and flossing at night post-dinner. Such practices increase the likelihood of a cavity free mouth. For children who are young and lack motor-skills, make sure you as a parent is cleaning their teeth with age-appropriate brushes and toothpaste. Such dental habits can help make sure that once your child grows up, he/she will become responsible for their oral health and maintain it regularly.
5) Back-to-school Dental Visit:
Bi-annual dental check-ups are recommended and are a crucial part of maintaining excellent oral hygiene. Such check-ups allow dentists to prevent, diagnose and treat dental issues before they get severe. Before starting school, schedule an appointment for your child with your dentist.
Do you have any queries regarding your child’s dental health? Feel free to visit our dental clinic in Calgary or Call +1 (403) 252 7733 to consult our dentists.