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As school begins for families in the area, we thought we’d help ease some of the back-to-school madness by offering busy parents some quick tips that can help their children have a mouth-healthy school year.

1 – Schedule a Checkup 

Oral health ailments cause millions of children to lose valuable school hours every year. You can help keep your child in school this year by scheduling an oral health checkup with our office. We’ll evaluate the state of their mouth, and offer a treatment plan that works for them.  

2 – Floss the Right Way, Every Day 

A full flossing routine should include cleaning teeth below the gum line, where dental plaque can go unseen and unreached by toothbrushes. If left untreated, plaque buildup near the root of teeth can lead to gingivitis and tooth loss. Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing are often an early sign of gum disease. Make sure to floss daily! 

3 – Limit Sugary Drinks This Year 

Beverages like soda, fruit juice and sports drinks contain high amounts of sugar that damage teeth, and affect overall health. This school year, try giving your children water, or diluted fruit juice to cut back on the amount of sugar they intake. 

4 – Keep a Clean Tooth Brush 

Did you know that you don’t need a toothbrush cover to keep it clean? In fact, covering your toothbrush can actually breed bacteria on the bristles. The best way to clean your toothbrush is to rinse it with cool water, and let it air dry. 

5 – Try a Tongue Scraper 

A good oral healthy routine isn’t just limited to cleaning teeth – tongues need cleaning too! After brushing, bacteria can remain left on the tongue. You can use a tongue scraper after you finish brushing to remove any leftover food particles and bacteria from your tongue. A clean tongue can also help freshen breath! 

6 – Skip the Bedtime Snack 

Food debris that sticks on your teeth overnight is a quick way to decay. That’s because food can turn into sugar and feed unhealthy bacteria that causes cavities. If you enjoy a late night snack, try replacing it with a big glass of water instead.

Visit Our Office 

We would love to checkup on the state of your children’s teeth before the school year begins. Preventive care can greatly reduce the chances of your child contracting a more serious oral ailment. We hope your family has a happy and healthy school year!