Top Dental Care Tips for Back to School

Fingers crossed, knock on wood, and all the other superstitions but 2021 looks like a full year on deck for our kiddos. Dental Care Tips may not be at the top of your back to school list, but there is much value in taking care of your children’s teeth. See below for healthy routines, tips, and tricks for the best chompers in town.

Studies report that children miss over 51 million hours of school due to dental problems.

Poor oral health is linked to many school related concerns. According to one study published in the American Journal of Public Health, on average, elementary children miss a total of 6 days per year, and 2.1 days of missed school were due to dental problems. Having a healthy smile helps a child focus better on schoolwork than worry about pain related to dental care.

Dental Care Tips

Regular Maintenance

If you have read any of our past posts about teeth care, you know that we feel strongly about regular dental care. The number one thing parents can do for their kids’ teeth is to make sure they are properly taken care of. The best and only way to keep a smile bright is through preventative care.  This includes proper brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash daily.

Create a Routine

Ask any parent, school mornings are chaotic at best. We can all relate to that the fact that getting our children ready for the day is quite the task. However, creating and keeping a routine is important to managing our day to days. Keeping consistency in your mornings helps alleviate stress by keeping everyone on the same page. Set up a time each day to brush. Looking for tips to make dental care fun? Check here.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Healthy diets include fruits, vegetables, and a lot of water. Did you know some foods can improve the health of your teeth? The American Dental Association is a big fan of fiber rich foods because of their ability to help clean your gums. These foods help to stimulate saliva production. Many vegetables are good for teeth because they require a lot of chewing to clean teeth surfaces. Crunchy fruits and veggies contain a lot of water thus stimulating the flow of saliva, helping scrub away food particles and bacteria.

Foods rich in calcium and phosphate are another favorite. These foods include dairy products. They help rebuild the enamel in your teeth.

Stay Hydrated

One of the most in demand dental care tips: stay hydrated. Water does so much for your body.  The health benefits are almost endless. Water is unlike any other drink, there is no substitute. Skip the sugary options and always pack a water bottle in your kids’ lunch. Water is particularly good for your teeth because water helps wash away food particles and keeps your saliva levels high.

Get Regular Dental Check-ups

Regular dental checkups are an important dental care tip for back to school. Students with poor dental health often do worse in school. Cavities and the pain associated with them can distract students. The best way to stay on top of problems is to get ahead of them. Let one of our highly trained, highly compassionate doctors take a peek at your kiddos’ choppers before school starts. If you would like to make an appointment reach out to the Commonwealth office closest to you.

Mask and BTS

The newest fashion accessory may not be on everyone’s favorites list, but they are a necessary evil. While masks have been a key player in keeping the pandemic at bay, they can cause problems for our teeth. Most schools encourage mask breaks. Talk to your child about the importance of drinking water during this time. Masks make our mouth dry and lead to a breeding ground for bacteria. One way to combat this is by drinking water to encourage saliva production. Salvia serves as a natural protectant against harmful bacteria.

We hope that your children have the best school year. Make sure they are putting their best smile forward by following the above tips. If you or your child are looking for a dental home, we’d love to see you. Here’s to the best school year yet!