According to the CDC report, one out of every five children aged 5 to 11 has untreated tooth decay. It is currently one of the most prevalent health issues among youngsters. As a result, children with poor dental health miss more school and obtain lower grades than their peers.
Cavities can be avoided, which is good news. Routine dental care, such as brushing twice a day and visiting the dentist regularly, is the best way to prevent a dental discomfort or toothache emergency.
Here are a few basic suggestions to assist parents in keeping their children healthy:
Back-to-School Oral Hygiene Tips
Schedule a Checkup at Your Local Dental Clinic
Remember to schedule a pediatric dental clinic visit with your family dentist as you prepare to send your child back to school. Schedule the visit closer to the beginning of the school year to ensure your child enjoys the benefits of a dental visit early on
During the appointment, your dentist will examine your child’s mouth for decay, cavities, and discolored teeth, as well as do a complete polishing and cleaning. We recommend visiting the dentist again halfway through the school year to ensure that all is well with your child’s oral health.
Consider Fluoride Treatments and Sealants
Fluoride is a mineral that is commonly added to toothpaste and city drinking water to help strengthen teeth, prevent tooth decay and cavities. Consider a fluoride treatment if your child isn’t getting enough fluoride or if your family mostly consumes distilled or mineral water.
Fluoride is frequently applied to the teeth in the form of a gel. When the mouth becomes acidic, the gel produces fluoride, which helps to protect the teeth from bacteria that cause cavities.
In addition to fluoride treatments, your child’s teeth can be sealed by your family dentist. The sealant fills in the cracks and dips in your teeth, preventing plaque and germs from proliferating and causing decay — an especially useful procedure as they head back to school with other children who may offer them food that causes tooth decay.
Limit the Intake of Candy and Sweets
Sugary and gooey candies left in the mouth produce toxic acids, which can take up to 20 minutes for the saliva to neutralize. If your child consumes these candies daily, they increase their chance of developing cavities—plan healthful desserts and snacks such as fresh fruits and nuts instead of sugary or sweet goodies. Don’t send them back to school with a pack of sugary treats for lunch.
By introducing this habit early on, you can ensure that your child will learn to make healthier choices when presented with food at school and no longer under your supervision.
Learn the Proper Way of Brushing, Flossing, and Rinsing
Monitor your child’s oral hygiene habits until they are seven years old, and teach them to brush their teeth twice a day and rinse with mouthwash. To motivate youngsters to wash their teeth, set a timer for three minutes or download a cell phone application that encourages them to do so.
You should educate your children on how to floss in addition to brushing and rinsing. This can be performed by flossing your teeth in front of your child and then assisting them until they understand the procedure and can do it on their own.
Your Trusted Family Dentist
Our professional and knowledgeable team at Rod W. Gore DDS treats patients of all ages. Young patients will feel at ease in our clinic because of our pleasant personnel and calm environment.
To make dental visits as painless as possible for your children, we use the most updated techniques and technologies. Call 480-585-6225 to schedule an appointment. Please fill out our online form to inquire about our dental services.