Along with an annual physical, clothes and backpacks, add a visit to the dentist to your child’s back-to-school list this fall. Dentists recommend two visits a year for most kids, and back-to-school is the perfect time because it follows a summer of sweets. If your kids are like mine, summer means too many days of special treats such as cotton candy, slushies, and bomb pops.
Scheduling a dental visit during back-to-school time will mean your child won’t be distracted by dental pain in class. If they’re in pain, they won’t be able to concentrate. If they can’t concentrate, test scores and grades soon plummet.
While regular dental visits are extremely important, good oral health for children starts at home with proper dental hygiene and diet. The daily one-two punch of brushing twice with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once is still the foundation for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Very young children (ages 1 to 5) are particularly prone to tooth decay and parents should supervise (or actually brush for them) to make sure they do a good job. A diet light on sugary snacks and drinks and rich in fruits and vegetables goes a long way toward maintaining good oral and overall health.
It’s important to begin good oral health habits, like visiting the dentist and brushing twice daily, when children are very young. This is why dentists and pediatricians recommend that a child’s first visit to the dentist is within six months of getting the first tooth and no later than the first birthday.
To celebrate back to school, Delta Dental of Colorado is holding a random $50 cash prize drawing to help with the cost of school supplies. Just tweet us the reason your child is excited to go back to school and include the hashtag #B2Ssmiles.
Here’s hoping your kids have a great school year!