Dental Tips for School-Aged Kids and Teens – Infographic
For Younger Kids
1. Have fun!
Brushing can be fun with a song, a favorite character-themed toothbrush, or a reward.
2. Make it a family event.
Make brushing and flossing an activity that’s routinely done together whenever you can.
3. Lend a helping hand.
Many experts recommend brushing and flossing your child’s teeth until they are between six and eight years old and supervising until age 10.
4. Steer away from sugary drinks.
Sodas, juices, smoothies, chocolate milk—a treat for your child and the bacteria in their mouth.
5. Pack tooth-healthy snacks.
Look for nutrient-dense foods that nourish your child’s mouth and body.
6. Seal out cavities.
Dental sealants coat and protect the chewing surface of your child’s back teeth.
7. Get an alignment checkup.
Advances in orthodontics allow dentists to start addressing orthodontic concerns in children as early as six or seven years of age.
8. Visit the dentist twice a year.
If your child is worried about visiting the dentist or has special needs, choose a highly rated pediatric dentist that is skilled in creating positive dental experiences for children of all ages.
For Your Teens
1. Gear up.
Prevent dental injury with a custom-fitted mouthguard.
2. Dodge sodas.
Soda, kombucha, sparkling water—sugar isn’t the only enamel nemesis. Watch out for carbonated beverages, too.
3. Hydrate, but make it fashionable.
Permanent marker art, a vinyl decal, or something extra original of their choosing on their water bottle will mean your teen is more likely to use it.
4. Get wise.
To prevent wisdom teeth woes, have your teen’s wisdom teeth evaluated when they are between 16 and 19 years of age.
5. Ask your dentist about Invisalign or braces.
A misaligned bite (malocclusion) or crooked, overcrowded teeth can harm oral health, make it difficult to chew, and hurt your teen’s self-esteem.
6. Be real about mouth jewelry.
Lip and tongue piercings can damage teeth and soft tissues. So come up with alternatives to self-expression you can both agree on, like hair color or style.
7. Correct cosmetic concerns.
Your pediatric dentist can help your teen address cosmetic and orthodontic concerns early, so they can move through adolescence and into adulthood more confidently.
8. Keep up with twice-annual appointments.
Help your teen skip class for the best reason ever: their oral health.