The beginning of the school year means dozens of papers to sign, making sure your little ones have the supplies they need to be successful, and getting their health needs taken care of. With the addition of homework, school projects, and exhausting learning-filled days, it can be easy for your child to put their oral hygiene routine on the backburner. However, this could cause toothaches and common oral health problems like cavities to develop, resulting in missed days of school and academic distractions. To make sure your child is prepared for success, follow these three tips to get their oral health on track.
Schedule a Visit With Your Family Dentist
The best way to avoid oral health problems from cropping up during the busy school year is to schedule a checkup and cleaning for your child with your family dentist. They may offer dental sealants or fluoride treatments to help protect your little one’s teeth from cavities and decay, so don’t hesitate to ask. These preventive measures can keep them from experiencing toothaches that could cause them to lose valuable sleep they need to concentrate. In fact, according to Delta Dental’s 2015 Children’s Oral Health Survey, about a third of children miss school because of oral health issues.
Your family dentist will be focused on treating small problems before they can progress into something more severe. Not only will a checkup and cleaning save them from discomfort, but it’ll also save you from having to schedule time off and spend more money on dental care down the road.
Pack Lunches That Fortify Their Oral Health
Many snacks that are marketed towards children’s lunch foods are high in sugars and carbohydrates. Unfortunately, these can cause your child to develop cavities, bad breath, and gum irritation. Pack the best tooth-healthy lunches by following these tips:
- There’s no question that applesauce is delicious, but it’s loaded with added sugars. Instead, try cottage cheese or yogurt with fruit!
- Instead of packing fruit snacks and sugary, sticky treats, choose real fruit.
- Juice and flavored drinks often contain food coloring and an unnecessary amount of sugar. Instead, pack your child milk and other dairy products that fortify their enamel.
- Chips, pretzels, and crackers are filling snacks that are low in sugar, but they can be just as bad as candy. Carbs mix with saliva and break down, forming a sticky layer over their teeth that can cause cavities. Substitute sunflower seeds, almonds, and carrots instead.
Spice Up Their Oral Hygiene Routine
One of the hardest things during the school year can be encouraging your little one to remain interested in keeping up with their oral hygiene routine. After a long, exhausting day of learning, the last thing they’ll want to do is spend an extra few minutes caring for their mouth when they just want to go to bed. During their checkup and cleaning, a pep talk from their dentist may be just what they need. Plus, try letting them choose exciting oral hygiene products with their favorite cartoon characters or colors on them. This way, they’ll be excited about taking care of their pearly whites.
For any additional questions or recommendations about how you can keep your child’s oral health in tip-top shape and avoid dental dilemmas during the school year, don’t hesitate to ask your family dentist. A happy and healthy smile can do wonders for your son or daughter’s academic success!
About the Author
Dr. Joseph Sandberg has been improving his patients’ smiles in South Jersey for over three decades. He is committed to providing everybody that walks through his doors with comprehensive, high-quality dental care. He enjoys working with small smiles and giving children the knowledge and treatment they need to maintain beautiful and healthy teeth into adulthood. For questions or to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning, visit South Jersey Center for Dental Medicine’s website or call 856-596-4333.