Back to School To Do’s
It is that favorite time of year for parents, and not so favorite time of year for kids - Back to School. With school starting now, many families will be rushing to pick up school supplies and new clothes while penciling in last minute vacations. But how many are thinking about a visit to the dentist? While it may be the last thing on your to do list, or maybe not on your to do list at all, now is the time to schedule those Back-to-School dental exams.
The numbers don’t lie
The CDC has found a steady decline in the number of untreated children and their dental issues over the past decade. Recently they found that 13.2% of children aged 5 to 19 years have untreated dental carries (cavities) while 14.1% of children aged 2 - 17 years have not visited a dentist within the past year. While these numbers are quite low, regular dental visits in addition to good dental hygiene can help to bring these numbers down even further.
How to ensure healthy teeth for a healthy school year
So how can you do your part to keep your children’s teeth healthy? Here are some great steps to get them off to building long-term healthy habits.
- Brush 2x’s a day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities
- Clean between all teeth daily
- Make regular visits to the dentist. Make sure to check the school calendar to not make a conflicting appointment.
- Watch their diet
- Ask our dentists about sealants to protect against cavities
- Ask about fluoride treatments
- Pack healthier snacks and treats:
- offer fruits and vegetables as a healthy snack instead of carbohydrates
- serve cheeses such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss and aged cheeses, which trigger the flow of saliva
- avoid sticky, chewy foods such as raisins, jellybeans, syrup, etc. (brush immediately after consuming)
- sugary treats with meals to help wash away the sugary food particles
- begin the habit of eating as few snacks as possible
- have sugar-free or unsweetened foods on hand
- no milk, juice, or soda after brushing the teeth for the night
- include sources of calcium such as milk, broccoli, and yogurt
- opt for xylitol sweetened or sugar free gum
- encourage your child to drink more water
- purchase a new toothbrush when purchasing the new lunch box and backpack
Spring Hills can help
From first visits to restorative care here at Spring Hills Family Dentistry we are happy to make your child’s visit to the dentist an enjoyable experience. Contact us today to set up your child’s appointment.