16 Aug Back-to-School Checklist For Dental Health
Did you know that dental problems, such as cavities, are among the most common reasons that children miss school? To keep your child on track and in the classroom this fall, you should be doing everything possible to help them maintain a healthy smile.
When your child practices good oral hygiene habits every day and sees their family dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings, the chances of missed school days due to toothaches or lengthy dentist appointments is greatly reduced.
A Different Kind of Back-to-School Supplies
Since you’ll be at the store buying notebooks, pencils and backpacks anyway, you might as well do an inventory of the oral hygiene supplies that your child is using for their daily routine. Does anything need to be replenished or updated? If so, now is a good time to stock up.
- Toothbrush – Your child should get a new toothbrush every three months, and a smaller model may be appropriate depending on their age and size.
- Toothpaste – Make sure to choose a toothpaste that has the ADA seal of approval. A product that is specially formulated for kids can be appealing for your children.
- Dental floss – School-aged children may have the manual dexterity needed to floss their teeth, which is important in preventing plaque and tartar buildup along the gumline.
You may also want to include accessories to make an oral hygiene routine feel more special, like a snazzy cup for rinsing. Ask your family dentist for other ideas of ways to make the daily oral hygiene habits more fun and engaging for your child.
Getting Routine Preventive Dental Care on The Schedule
Your child’s semi-annual visits to the family dentist are an integral part of the overall efforts to maintain a healthy smile. If it’s been more than six months since your child’s last exam and cleaning, then it’s time to call the office to schedule an appointment.
Even if your child isn’t due for a checkup for a few months, it can still be helpful to get it on the schedule ahead of time. The school year is often jam-packed with activities, so if you wait to fit in a dentist appointment, you may find that your child’s calendar is too full to accommodate it.
Call Kozlow & Rowell Dentistry today to ask any questions you may have about keeping your child’s smile healthy in this new school year or to schedule an appointment if it’s time for a checkup.