Back-to-school season is a busy time of year, but that doesn’t mean you can overlook the importance of your child’s dental care. Prepare your child with school-ready oral health to ensure happy, healthy smiles all year long. Starting out the school year on the right foot will help your child stick to the right routine for lasting oral health.

The Significance of Back-to-School Dental Cleanings

Dental cleanings are an important part of routine dental care for patients of all ages. They’re particularly important for children, as they are still developing and are prone to cavities and other dental issues.

A routine dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar from your child’s teeth. These deposits harbor bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. While good oral hygiene at home goes a long way, professional cleaning is much more thorough.

Scheduling a back-to-school dental cleaning provides your child with a foundation for good oral health. Cavities and tooth decay can lead to serious tooth sensitivity. Your child can find themselves dealing with pain when biting and chewing.

When tooth decay becomes more serious, it can lead to persistent toothaches that divert your child’s attention. This can impact school performance, as your child struggles to focus on the task at hand. Proper dental care prevents this situation from happening.

What to Expect During a Back-to-School Dental Visit

A back-to-school dental cleaning is a straightforward appointment that will help protect your child’s oral health. The visit will include an examination to identify cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues that may need treatment. Dealing with these early on provides the best oral health outcomes.

The cleaning itself involves the dentist using specialized tools to remove plaque and tartar. The fine instruments let them reach every nook and cranny, tackling deposits that brushing and flossing can’t always handle. Fluoride treatment is typically recommended as well because it helps remineralize enamel and reverse tooth decay.

The dentist may also perform other examinations, such as an orthodontic evaluation. Monitoring your child’s development ensures that they get orthodontic treatment when they need it, avoiding long-term concerns associated with untreated malocclusion.

Timing Your Child’s Dental Visit

Back-to-school season is a great time to schedule your child’s dental visit. One check-up every six months is advised to ensure lasting oral health. However, you likely already know how hectic scheduling appointments for your child can be. Getting it out of the way before school starts up again can make things so much easier.

Ideally, schedule the appointment a month or several weeks before school starts. That way, there will also be time to deal with potential follow-up appointments. While you may hope that your child won’t need any dental treatment, that isn’t always the case.

Keep in mind that dental clinic availability is also more difficult to navigate when school is in session. Every other parent is trying to work around school schedules as well, making appointments outside of school hours hard to come by. You can avoid your child missing school for an appointment by getting it out of the way early.

Preparing Your Child for Their Dental Appointment

Many children face some level of dental anxiety. While few are particularly enthusiastic about visiting the dentist, it can be a real challenge for some. One way to address dental anxiety is by simply talking to your child about what they can expect at their appointments.

Explaining that routine visits are important for everyone’s oral health is a great way to start. Let them know that the cleaning is done to protect their smile and that the dentist is checking for potential issues so that they can stay healthy. You might consider bringing along a favorite toy or blanket to help them stay calm as well.

Familiarizing your child with the dentist from a young age can really help too. Keeping up with appointments every six months without fail will make visiting the dentist a familiar experience. If you’re not sure how to ease their concerns, there are many children’s books and other media about dental topics that you can use to help.

Oral Hygiene Tips for a Healthy School Year

These kids’ dental cleaning tips can maintain your child’s oral health. They should keep brushing twice daily and flossing to protect their smile. This significantly reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Your child’s diet also has a big impact on oral health. Avoid sugary drinks and snacks as much as possible. Don’t let them sip away at something like juice or even milk over a long period of time, as this provides constant food for bacteria. For snacks at school, consider crunchy vegetables like carrots or dairy products like cheese.

The Care Your Child Needs From Your Local Family Dentist

Getting your kids ready with back-to-school dental cleaning and enforcing oral hygiene at home prepares them for a school year of good oral health. It also builds a lasting foundation for the years to come.

When you schedule a back-to-school dental check-up with your trusted dentist near Edwardsville, IL, you’re taking a great first step. Reach out to book an appointment with Hite Family Dentistry today.