Your Child’s Back to School Smiles
School season will be here before you know it, and kids will have to start getting back into their school time routines. As your kids take on new challenges and opportunities, it’s important that they have fresh and bright school smiles. Make sure your child’s back to school smile is great and stays great throughout the school year with these important tips and ideas.
Purchase a New Toothbrush
Regular brushing is so important to remove the cavity-causing plaque from your child’s teeth. To effectively remove plaque, you need a good toothbrush. This means you need to replace toothbrushes every three or four months, or if your kids use electric toothbrushes, you’ll need to replace the toothbrush heads. If you see bristles fraying on the toothbrush, then you need to replace them sooner. Get your child ready for school smiles by purchasing a new toothbrush. You may even want to let your child do the choosing so they can pick something they like. Just make sure they pick one with soft bristles to prevent damage to tooth enamel and gum irritation.
Don’t Forget a Back to School Routine Exam and Cleaning
Before your child gives those back to school smiles, don’t forget to have a routine dental exam and cleaning done. You may be surprised to find that toothaches are a big cause of missed days of school, and even if a child goes to class, it hurts their concentration if their teeth are hurting. Many kids won’t speak up when they have a toothache and they go around with untreated cavities. Getting that routine exam done before your child gives those back to school smiles allows your Ponte Vedra dentist to check for any problems so any dental problems can be taken care of quickly. A good professional cleaning will also ensure your child’s school smiles look their best for the start of school.
Get a Mouthguard for Kids Playing Sports
Will your child be playing sports this year in school? If so, talk to your dentist about getting a mouthguard. A custom mouthguard from your Ponte Vedra dentist offers the best protection and comfort for your child. Mouthguards can buffer blows that would otherwise cause jaw injuries or broken teeth. The last thing you want is a severe sports injury that comes with a lot of pain for your child and a big dental bill. Investing in a mouthguard before school starts can ensure kids have the protection they need when playing their favorite sports.
Pack Healthy Lunches and Snacks
Once your child is back in school giving those school smiles, make sure you’re helping them pack healthy lunches and snacks. This not only helps improve energy levels and concentration but their dental health, too. The foods your child eats can either hurt their teeth or help them, so make sure you’re packing foods that will improve oral health. A few tips for packing healthy lunches and snacks include:
- Pack crunchy veggies and fruits like carrots, apples, and celery. They help to tackle bad breath and clean teeth naturally.
- Skip the chips and pack whole grain crackers.
- Instead of applesauce, go with real apples, since applesauce can be high in sugar.
- Add cheese sticks. They have calcium, which is good for bones and teeth. Yogurt that is low in sugar is also a great option to add calcium to your child’s lunch.
- Skip the sodas and pack water or have kids buy milk at school.
- Avoid snacks that sound healthy like granola bars or chewy fruit snacks. They’re usually high in sugar.
Add a Small Dental Kit for In-School Brushing
Add a small dental kit to your child’s backpack or lunchbox. Place a small toothbrush, a mini tube of toothpaste, and some individual flossing sticks in the kit. This way kids have all the tools they need to clean their teeth after lunch at school.
Getting ready for a new school year comes with so many things to do, from buying school supplies to purchasing new school clothes. However, don’t forget to think about your child’s back to school smiles. Your child only gets one set of teeth, so it is important to take measures before the new school year and throughout the school days to make sure your child can give those beautiful, healthy school smiles.