Summer is passing by all too quickly, and before you know it, it will be time for the new school year. Many parents have already begun preparing their kids to return to school with new clothing and other supplies, but have you thought about your kid’s dental health in Newcastle? Below are some easy tips to ensure your child’s teeth stay healthy and strong throughout the upcoming school year.
Book Dental Appointments Well in Advance
If your child is due for a visit to West Bowmanville Family Dental for a checkup and clean, make sure you schedule their appointment in plenty of time before they go back to school.
Regular dental visits are important all year round, but ensuring your child returns to school with a healthy mouth is an especially good idea. When we see your kid regularly, we can check for any signs of cavities, hopefully providing suitable treatment before they feel any unpleasant symptoms. Regular preventive dentistry is essential as many children miss out on school every year because of avoidable dental problems like cavities. Also, trying to learn when you have a toothache in Clarington is nearly impossible.
Get a Custom Sports Mouthguard
The start of the new school year means a return to organized sports and other physical activities. If your child is sports mad, ensure they have a well-fitted custom mouthguard that we can easily provide at our dental office. A custom mouthguard is guaranteed to fit over their teeth properly, dividing excellent protection against sporting injuries. Although you can buy sports mouthguards cheaply over-the-counter, these can be a false economy. They won’t fit very well, provide limited protection and are far less comfortable to wear, so they are likely to remain unused.
Encourage Good Oral Habits at Home
Oral habits can take a backseat at this time of year, especially if everyone is busy with summer activities and vacations. At this point, it’s a good idea to start encouraging your child back into regular routines that include good oral care. If you can, set a specific time when they need to brush their teeth every morning and night. School mornings can be especially busy, so make sure your child remembers to brush their teeth before breakfast.
Get Ready for Healthy Lunch Boxes
Unhealthy snacks like chips and chocolate bars are easy and quick to pack, but these foods can cling to teeth, encouraging plaque bacteria to grow and increasing the risk of cavities in Courtice. Instead, try swapping out these unhealthy snacks for healthier alternatives like cheese, raw fruits and veggies, nuts and grains. Of course, everybody wants to indulge in something chocolatey now and then, and when this is the case, included as part of a main meal. After eating, you produce more saliva, helping to wash away sugary foods more easily.
Replace Worn-out Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes need replacing every three months or sooner if the bristles start to look splayed and worn. The beginning of the new school year can be the ideal time to purchase a new toothbrush, so it is easy to remember when to replace it. It’s helpful to keep a few new toothbrushes at home, so you are always prepared.
Another trick is to get your child to choose their toothbrush and toothpaste. There are lots of child-friendly toothbrushes available, and if they choose their own, they are more likely to want to use it, and it’s an easy way to make sure tooth brushing is more fun.