A new school year brings new teachers, changing schedules, after-school activities and plenty of items to add to the family calendar. As you shop for supplies and prepare for earlier mornings, it is also a good time to help your child get back into a consistent oral health routine.
Healthy teeth and gums do more than give your child a confident smile for school pictures. Dental pain and untreated cavities can make it more difficult for children to eat, speak, concentrate and learn. Fortunately, many common dental problems can be prevented through healthy daily habits and regular preventive care.
Use this back-to-school dental checklist to help your child begin the year ready to smile.
Reestablish a Consistent Brushing Routine
Summer can bring later bedtimes, overnight trips and days without a predictable schedule. While that flexibility is part of the fun, it can also cause brushing and flossing routines to become less consistent.
Before school begins, start returning to a regular morning and evening routine. Children should brush their teeth using fluoride toothpaste and clean between their teeth regularly. Younger children may still need help brushing thoroughly, especially when reaching their back teeth.
Try connecting brushing with another activity that already happens every day. Your child can brush after getting dressed in the morning and again before the bedtime story begins. When brushing becomes part of a familiar sequence, it may be easier to remember on busy school days.
A timer, favorite song or brushing chart can also make the routine more engaging for younger children.
Replace Worn-Out Dental Supplies
Back-to-school shopping is a good opportunity to refresh more than notebooks and pencils. Check your child’s toothbrush and replace it if the bristles are worn, bent or frayed.
Letting children select a toothbrush in a favorite color or featuring a character they enjoy may make them more excited to use it. Be sure to choose a toothbrush that is appropriately sized for your child’s mouth and easy for them to hold.
This is also a good time to make sure your family has fluoride toothpaste, floss and any other oral care products recommended by your dentist.
Consider creating a small dental care kit for older children or teenagers who have braces or other dental appliances. A travel toothbrush, toothpaste and floss can help them clean their teeth after lunch, sports practice or an after-school activity.
Pack Lunches That Support Healthy Teeth
What your child eats and drinks throughout the school day can affect their dental health. Foods and drinks containing sugar can contribute to tooth decay, particularly when they are consumed frequently or remain on the teeth for long periods.
You do not have to remove every sweet item from your child’s lunchbox. Instead, focus on balance and how often sugary foods are eaten.
When possible, include options such as:
- Cheese or plain yogurt
- Fresh vegetables
- Whole fruits
- Nuts or seeds, when permitted by the school
- Whole-grain crackers
- Lean proteins
- Water
Sticky foods can cling to the grooves and surfaces of the teeth. When packing dried fruit, fruit snacks or similar items, include them as part of a meal rather than as something your child eats repeatedly throughout the day.
Encourage your child to drink water with lunch and throughout the school day. Water can help rinse away food particles, while fluoridated water can also help protect teeth against decay.
Limit Frequent Sipping on Sugary Drinks
Sports drinks, flavored beverages, soda and sweetened juices can expose the teeth to both sugar and acid. Slowly sipping these drinks throughout the day extends that exposure.
For most school days, water is the best beverage to keep in your child’s reusable bottle. Save sugary or acidic drinks for occasional enjoyment and encourage your child to drink them with a meal rather than continuously between meals.
Even drinks that appear to be healthy can contain added sugar, so check the nutrition label when selecting juice, flavored water or sports drinks.
Check Your Child’s Sports Mouthguard
If your child participates in football, soccer, basketball, wrestling or another activity with a risk of contact or falls, add a mouthguard to the equipment checklist.
A properly fitted mouthguard can help protect the teeth, lips, cheeks and jaw during practices and games. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry supports the use of properly fitted mouthguards for organized sports that carry a risk of injuries to the mouth and face.
Do not assume that last season’s mouthguard still fits. Children grow, lose baby teeth and develop new permanent teeth, all of which can change the fit. Check for worn areas, tears or signs that the mouthguard has become uncomfortable. Your child’s dentist can help determine whether it should be adjusted or replaced.
Remember to clean the mouthguard after each use, allow it to dry and store it in a ventilated container.
Watch for Signs of a Dental Problem
Children do not always tell a parent when something feels wrong. They may not recognize that sensitivity, discomfort or bleeding gums could be signs of a dental concern.
Pay attention if your child:
- Avoids chewing on one side of the mouth
- Complains that a tooth hurts
- Becomes sensitive to hot, cold or sweet foods
- Has swollen or bleeding gums
- Develops persistent bad breath
- Has difficulty eating
- Experiences swelling around the mouth or jaw
Dental pain can become distracting during the school day. Addressing a concern early may prevent it from becoming more uncomfortable or requiring more extensive treatment.
Make Preventive Dental Care Part of the School-Year Routine
Regular dental exams allow your dentist to examine your child’s teeth and gums, look for early signs of decay and identify concerns that may not be noticeable at home. It is also an opportunity to discuss brushing habits, fluoride, dental sealants and any changes occurring as your child grows.
Dental sealants are thin protective coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They help keep food and cavity-causing bacteria from settling into the small grooves that can be difficult to clean with a toothbrush. Sealants can provide protection against cavities for many years, although they do not replace regular brushing and flossing.
Preventive dental care is especially important during childhood because the habits children learn now can support their oral health throughout their lives.
Begin the School Year with a Reason to Smile
The beginning of a new school year can feel hectic, but a few simple preparations can make healthy dental habits easier to maintain. By rebuilding a brushing routine, packing tooth-friendly lunches, choosing water and checking sports equipment, you can help protect your child’s smile both inside and outside the classroom.
At The Landing Dental Spa, we believe dental care should be a comfortable and positive experience for the whole family. Our team provides preventive and pediatric dental care in a relaxing, spa-like environment designed to help patients feel at ease.
Current patients who have questions about their child’s dental health or upcoming preventive care can call The Landing Dental Spa at 304-594-2200.
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