Start the School Year with a Bright Smile

by Dr. Nick Wentworth

Many dental problems in children are the same ones that affect adults; however, children’s teeth are still developing. Dental issues at a young age can cause poor tooth development, leading to more serious issues in adulthood. As the new school year begins, here are some tips to help your child keep their smile bright!

• Pick a fresh, new toothbrush. Get your child excited about brushing!

• Build the habit with your child of brushing their teeth before they leave for school and right before bed every day.

• Make flossing fun! Flossing is just as important as brushing when it comes to avoiding tooth decay. Make sure to floss at least once every day. You can make it fun by playing a song or seeing who can floss the most days in a row.

• Send them to school with tooth-friendly snacks and keep foods high in sugar to a minimum, especially sticky or gummy candy. Consider real fruit, veggies and dip, pretzel sticks, and string cheese over snacks with a sticky coating like fruit rollups or granola bars.

• If your child plays a sport, get them fit for a mouthguard.

• Encourage drinking water – it’s great for both the body and for the teeth.

• When encouraging your child to brush twice a day, make sure your child is using fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps toughen tooth enamel, making it harder for acid to penetrate which makes it harder for cavities to form.

• Keep regular dental check-ups on your calendar! With all the school and extracurricular activities, it’s easy to let the months pass by. Keeping a routine dental exam and teeth cleaning on your schedule every six months will get your child comfortable with going to the dentist and help maintain a healthy smile.

Implementing a strong dental routine and healthy habits now will help your child so they can do it themselves one day. Wishing you a great school year!