The end of summer is soon approaching which means you’re probably busy getting your kids ready for school. New clothes and supplies will most likely make it to the top of the back to school checklist, but don’t forget to add a dental cleaning so your children are ready to take on the new school year with a smile. Preventative dental care is so important, especially for children and young adults. As a bonus, when you schedule a dentist appointment for your children by the end of August, they will be placed into a raffle to win a free backpack containing all the essential school supplies! This will help you check off a number of things on your back to school list. Why wait, the initial consultation is also free of charge!
Remember, school time is no time to be interrupted by annoying tooth pain. Cavities are more common this time of year. Children are generally out of their normal routine and are more likely to snack on summertime sweets such as ice-cream, soda, and candy and less likely to keep up the routine of brushing and flossing. So schedule your children’s dentist appointment today, before they are experiencing any symptoms and it becomes more difficult to schedule around their school day. The best ways to prevent expensive treatments is to brush and floss daily and have regular checkups with your dentist. If your children are planning on getting involved in sports, it is also the perfect time to get a mouth guard made in advance.
At minimum, routine cleanings should be scheduled twice a year. This is not only important for your smile, but for overall preventative health. Plaque and tartar can build up in a short period of time if good oral hygiene is not practiced between visits. If left untreated, plaque can lead to gum disease. Preventative treatments such as fluoride and dental sealants, as well as an overall look at your gums, mouth, tongue and throat, can help you maintain good oral health and a healthy smile. When you have a beautiful smile, you feel more confident, and we all want our kids to have that extra boost of confidence as they start a new school year. Alternatively, untreated problems can cause your children pain and missed days of school. For example in 2007 the state of California estimated out of their 7 million plus population of children that attend school 7 percent of them missed at least one day of school because of dental related problems.
Send your child to their first day of school feeling prepared and confident. Brighten your child’s smiles by scheduling them a back to school check-up at the dentist today. Remember that healthy oral hygiene starts at home and young kids are prone to tooth decay. You will need to supervise young children and make sure they are brushing at least twice a day and flossing at night. Start creating these habits while your children are young so they carry them through to adulthood. If you are having a hard time getting your children to visit the dentist or brush their teeth, please read our blog about how to make the dentist a fun experience for kids here.