Back-to-School Dental Checklist: Local Tips for a Healthy Year Ahead

Get Ready For a Healthy School Year

The start of school is just around the corner. Is your child’s smile ready to take on another year? Starting a new school year can be fun, overwhelming, and exciting, and one thing your child needs to prepare for is another year of keeping their oral health in good order. At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we want your child to look after their smile all year long, and our team in Omaha, Nebraska, is ready to help you and your child make the most out of their oral health.

Schedule a Dental Checkup

First things first: Have you visited Pediatric Dental Specialists in Omaha lately? If your child hasn’t seen us in the last six months, it’s time to schedule an appointment for a biannual dental checkup. It’s important to have routine, preventative dental care because our team can help monitor the progress of your child’s adult teeth coming in, as well as catch any dental issues before they become big problems, like cavities.

We recommend that your child come in at least twice a year for dental evaluations to allow our dental team to give your child’s mouth a thorough check for plaque, cavities, and more. Pediatric Dental Specialists has varied hours that work for busy families, so give us a call today before your child begins the new school year.

Stock Up on Dental Essentials

While you are out stocking up on notebooks and pencils, take a look at the dental essentials your child might need. Make sure your child has a new toothbrush with soft bristles and a head that is designed with a child in mind. A children’s toothbrush is designed to maneuver in your child’s mouth better than an adult toothbrush so that all teeth in the mouth can be brushed properly.

Another essential dental tool is toothpaste with added fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps fortify the enamel, or outer layer, of the tooth. You should also make sure you are stocked up on dental floss because cleaning in between teeth is just as important as cleaning the surfaces.

If your child is interested in brushing their teeth after lunch at school, you can find small travel-sized dental products that they can keep in their backpack. 

Drink Water to Stay Hydrated

While you’re thinking about their dental health, add a water bottle to your shopping list. It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day. Many dentists recommend sipping on water throughout the day, versus drinking juice or sports drinks, because water helps to keep the pH balanced in the mouth.

Another benefit of adequate hydration is that drinking water throughout the day can help flush away food particles that might otherwise cling to the teeth and encourage bacterial growth. 

Pack Tooth-Friendly Lunches

Deciding what to pack for lunch can be a hard choice, but if your child is choosing to bring their own lunch to school, consider packing some tooth-friendly options. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, like apples, celery, and carrots, are great for snacking on. These crunchy options can work as nature’s toothbrushes because the extra chewing they require can help sweep away bacteria from the tooth’s surface as they are chewed. Low-fat cheese is also a good option because dairy products are packed with calcium, which helps to build strong bones and teeth.

Protect Smiles During Sports

If your child is participating in sports, Pediatric Dental Specialists in Omaha recommends that your child wear a mouth guard to help protect their teeth during any sort of contact. Mouth guards can be custom-fit to your child’s mouth to ensure that their teeth are protected while they are out playing the sport they love. If you are interested in getting a professionally fitted mouth guard, contact our office to inquire about a fitting.

Establish a Consistent Routine

The best way to stay on track with a good oral health routine is by brushing and flossing daily. At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we recommend that everyone brush their teeth for a minimum of two minutes, twice a day, and floss at least once. To help make sure your child is brushing long enough, get a small egg timer that they can set. 

Another tip is having your child imagine their mouth is four separate quarters, and they need to spend at least 30 seconds in each quarter brushing their teeth, taking the time to brush all surfaces using small circular motions. To help enforce a routine, have your child brush their teeth at the same time every day, perhaps after breakfast and just before they head to bed at night, to help establish a routine.

Start your child off with a healthy, happy smile this school year.

While the pre-school period can be a rush, it’s still important to make time and prioritize your child’s dental health. At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we are experienced in preventive dental care, ensuring no problems sneak up on your child’s smile. If it’s been six months or more since you visited us, schedule an appointment and tick one more task off your to-do list.