Can you believe summer’s almost over? As you and your child stock up on school supplies and start changing sleeping schedules, you’ll also want to keep dental health and hygiene top of mind. They’ll be flashing their beautiful smiles plenty, so let’s make sure their teeth and gums are strong and healthy.

3 Dental Hygiene Habits for Healthy Teeth and Gums

In the hustle and bustle of getting the new year started, it’s easy to forget about your teeth and gums. However, if you begin the year by establishing good dental hygiene habits, there’s a great chance they’ll continue. Here are some simple ways to keep your child’s smile at its best once school is in session:

Equip your kids for healthy teeth.

Put a small toothbrush and toothpaste in your child’s backpack to use after lunch. Instruct them to go to the bathroom and brush their teeth when they finish eating.

Give them teeth friendly foods.

Fill the lunch box with nutritious, dental-friendly foods like apples, celery, yogurt, and milk. Limit sweets and desserts and pack a water bottle instead of juice to limit sugar intake and oral bacteria growth.

Protect them in the gym.

Have a mouthguard ready to protect your child’s smile during sports and gym activities. They need to play hard, but let’s teach them to protect their teeth!

Don’t Forget Your Checkups!

The dental checkup is vital to keeping your children’s teeth and gums healthy. It’s important to have a thorough, professional cleaning every 6 months. It’s also important to monitor their teeth and gum health year after year. If we can catch issues early, the treatment is generally easier, recovery is faster, and it’s also easier on the pocketbook.

Before school starts is a great opportunity to get a dental check-up in. It may be easier to schedule and it will jump start good dental hygiene for the year. If it’s been some time since your child’s last visit, Contact Us to schedule an appointment or for more information on our pediatric dental services.