School is back and it’s the perfect time to update your dental checklist! Don’t forget to include your child’s dental check-up and cleaning as part of their back-to-school checklist if they are due. Establish a brushing and flossing routine, come in for a checkup, throw out old toothbrushes, and pack healthy snacks and lunches! We hope everyone has a great school year!
Here are some back-to-school tips for oral health:
- Take your kids to the dentist! Start the school year off right with a dental exam and cleaning
- Make brushing and flossing fun! Start them off early with practicing healthy habitats and enjoying it
- Water is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Choose water for your child to drink during the day instead of drinks sweetened with sugar. If your child wants a sweeter drink, try adding fresh sliced fruit such as lemons or strawberries.
- We encourage the use of fluoride toothpaste to help combat cavities. Kids over the age of 3 can use fluoride toothpaste. If your child is not able to spit, or eats the toothpaste, only use a rice grain amount. Once your child can spit, only a pea-size amount of toothpaste is needed.
- Ask your dental office about sealants. Sealants are applied to chewing surfaces of molars and help create a shield from harming bacteria. This will help protect your children’s teeth from cavities.
- Be sure to space out your snacks. Try to find snacks with less sugar to help prevent cavities and tooth decay. Do not nibble food or sip continuously throughout the day. It’s important to give a little time in between to allow saliva to neutralize acids and repair teeth.
Tips for packing lunches to promote dental health:
- Fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, and cucumbers are rich in vitamin A which helps form tooth enamel and scrub your teeth between brushings
- Avoid sugary juices boxes to help reduce tooth decay. Look for reduced sugar or low sugar options
- Eggs are high in calcium, vitamin A and iron which help build strong teeth
- Kiwi and strawberries are rich in vitamin C which helps to slow collagen break down
- Pack a water bottle. Drinking water helps wash away the food partials and reduce the acid build-up
Are you returning to elementary school? High school? University/college? We know your schedules can be crazy with school starting back up, but we don’t want your oral health to get put on the sidelines. We are at the ready, as always, to serve all your child’s dental care needs. We offer specialized dentistry with personalized care in an environment for everyone!
Book a back-to-school appointment today and start the school year with a healthy smile! For more information, please call our dental clinic in Salem, MA at (978) 745-0055 or contact us online.
