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The transition from summer vacation to the back-to-school season brings a lot of changes. Late nights give way to early bedtimes, days at the pool are swapped for days in the classroom, and adventure and relaxation are replaced with hard work and discipline. With all this change going on, it can be easy for a student to let their dental care slip. Read on for some tips to help kids stay on top of their hygiene at the start of the school year so they can dominate their next dental exam.
Lunch Period Dental Hygiene
Lunch is an important time of the day; not only is it an ideal midway point for fueling up, but it provides students with a reprieve from their rigorous coursework. Unfortunately, tooth decay and gum disease never take breaks, so a lunch packed with sugars, starches, and acidic beverages can be harmful to your child’s smile. Be sure to pack your child’s midday meal with whole grains, lean meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables so they get all the nutrition they need for healthy teeth. When choosing a beverage, stick with water four days out of the week and save the sodas and juices for special occasions.
Brushing at School
While it’s ideal to brush at least thirty minutes after meals, doing so after lunch at school can be difficult due to scheduling and the questionable cleanliness of some children’s bathrooms. Chewing sugar-free gum after lunch can stimulate saliva flow, helping clear acidic residues and food debris through the mouth’s natural cleaning process.
You Can Lean on Your Routine
Good or bad habits determine the result of any endeavor, and oral care is no different. Summer is a more relaxed time of year, and all the free time can make it a little too easy for a kid to procrastinate about brushing their teeth for a few days. The routine of the school year provides the kind of structure that makes building good habits easy. If your child has only fifteen minutes during which they can brush their teeth, they’re more likely to pounce on the opportunity than if they have four hours. Stick to a schedule for a few weeks, and you can have a strong hygiene habit that can last for the whole school year or more.
Your child’s smile is an important asset that should faithfully serve them for the rest of their lives. By following these tips and sticking to good oral hygiene at home, you can set your child up to knock their next dental exam out of the park and enjoy a school year uninterrupted by dental emergencies.
About the Practice
Renaissance Dental provides high-quality dentistry in a comfortable, modern office for patients in Fort Worth, TX. Led by Drs. Christopher Duong, John Kuan, Khoa Pham, and Jessica Chen, the skilled staff serves patients of all ages with old-fashioned customer care and the latest techniques and technology. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, restorative, emergency, and pediatric dentistry. If you’d like to know more about how to help your child achieve healthier teeth, contact the office online or dial (817) 289-5200.
