Back to School Smiles
Back to school also means back to regular routines, no matter what your age is. If you’re a parent, you may find that getting back into the routine can be a bit of a challenge for both you and your kids. Things like good oral hygiene may have slacked off over the summer months, and you’re now at the time when you need to reestablish those routines. Fortunately, it might be easier than you think to get your child back into the healthy oral hygiene routine if you start making changes before the school year actually begins. Here are the top tips to help your child have the best back to school smile.
New Tools of the Trade
Back to school means new school supplies, so why not get brand new oral hygiene supplies for your child, also? It somehow just seems more fun to brush when there’s a brand new toothbrush, an interesting flavor of toothpaste, and easy to use flossing supplies waiting in the bathroom. Help your child pick out a toothbrush they love, and allow them the freedom of picking a fun flavor of toothpaste, too. Your child might even look forward to their brushing routine just because it feels new with the new supplies.
When it comes to flossing, kids are more likely to actually do the job right if they have tools that are easy to use. Invest in some disposable flossers that your child can use every night before bed. These flossers are very simple to use, as they require no measuring or cutting like standard dental floss does. You can even get flavored flossers to make the experience more fun for your child.
A Back to School Cleaning and Exam For Extra Confidence
As your child heads back to school, they may feel both excited and apprehensive. It’s normal for kids to feel this way, but you can help alleviate their worry by helping them feel more confident about their smile. A back to school dental cleaning is the ideal way to remove built-up tartar and polish the teeth to look their very best for the new school year.
A back to school dental exam allows Dr. Kasem to identify and correct any problems ahead of the new school year. When your child spends some time with Dr. Kasem during their dental exam, they’ll get the positive reinforcement they need to keep up good dental habits as they’re starting their new school year. This is the ideal time to arrange a dental appointment because you don’t have to plan around all the back to school activities and events that come with a new school year.
A Healthy Approach to Eating
While the occasional sugary snack is part of a normal childhood, there’s no reason to let sugar be a staple in any child’s life. Sugar is the main cause of tooth decay — and this means that most tooth decay is completely preventable. When planning school lunches and after-school snacks, strive to keep sugary snacks as a rare treat rather than a daily thing.
The difference between a daily cupcake and a daily apple is tremendous — and the difference will show when it’s time for your child’s next dental exam. No matter how carefully and consistently that your child brushes, sugar is still invasive and highly detrimental to the teeth. Strive for non-processed sweets like fruits — and make smart substitutions like sugar-free (or even “no sugar added”) versions of juice or sweets. Your child’s taste buds will soon adjust to eating less sugar, and they’ll be much happier when they don’t have to get fillings or even a root canal at their next dental appointment.
Dr. Shovon Kasem (Dr. K) and the team at Hancock Village Dental have a simple motto: A healthy smile is a happy smile! To help their patients achieve healthy and happy smiles, the Hancock Village Dental team offers not only back to school exams but also comprehensive family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative dentistry. Contact Hancock Village Dental anytime to get the best in Clermont, Florida dental care.
