Dental Tips for Back to School
Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases. American kids miss over 51 million school hours each year because of dental problems. When it comes to cavities and kids, prevention is the best defense. Here are some back to school dental tips that will help ensure that your child or teen’s healthy teeth check-ups are the only dental appointments they will need this year.
Supervise Brushing
In younger children, this is especially important. Instruct them on proper brushing and flossing. Check their work to make sure they have cleaned all the way in back and behind their front teeth. Talk about healthy teeth, and the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene. For older kids, use a timer to help them make sure they are spending a full two minutes brushing their teeth.
Don’t Skip Regular Dental Check-Ups
The best way to avoid the need for extensive dental work is to detect problems early. Seeing the dentist every six months for and exam and dental cleaning makes this possible, and identifies small problems early. Small cavities are easier and less expensive to treat.
Wear a Sports Mouthguard
Some of the most common sports injuries are dental injuries. Youth athletics are an important part of life for many kids, and dental injuries can happen in any sport. Make sure your child or teen wears a dental mouth guard to protect his/her teeth during practice and games. Ask Dr. Babaloui about custom-fitted mouth guards for added protection.
Did Your Teen Get His Braces Off This Summer?
Make sure they are wearing their retainers! Orthodontic relapse is seen in young adults as old as 25! Retainers are designed to maintain the position of the teeth, and must be worn as often as prescribed by your orthodontist. Keep teeth from shifting by reminding your teen to wear their retainers.
Pack A Healthy Lunch
The foods we eat can impact our dental health. Pack fresh veggies and fruits for a vitamin packed energy burst. Avoid sugary drinks and sodas in the lunch box. Cheese is a great snack option because it has recently been shown to help protect teeth against cavities.
At A+ Dental of Carrollton, we hope that you have a great school year! We are looking forward to seeing you soon for your dental check-up.
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