Last week we wrote about the importance of a good health assessment at the beginning of the school year. From what you learned doing an assessment, we urged you to examine your kids' daily oral heath routines and make sure dental supplies make your back-to school shopping list.
We're going to expand on last week's checklist and add a few more items to pay special attention to at the beginning of a new school year:
Diet
No matter what grade your children are entering, they're changing tremendously right now biologically. It's important to pay attention to their diet not only to promote healthy development, but also to ensure they aren't exposing themselves to unnecessary tooth decay or greater instances of gum disease.
Ensure your children drink something other than soda and sugary sports drinks. If they get to choose all or parts of their lunch at school, make sure they make healthy choices. If you pack their lunch, make sure to throw in some healthy snacks each day.
Missing Teeth
If your kids are missing permanent teeth, right now is the best time to take care of it. The longer he or she goes with a missing tooth gap, the more normal development and growth are affected. There are various options to replace missing teeth, such as a removable or fixed bridge or a dental implant. Talk with your dentist about the best option for your child's situation.
Restorations
If your child has had a dental restoration, such as a crown, fixed bridge, or a dental implant, take a look to ensure the restoration is functioning correctly and hasn't been affected by shifting teeth. If it causes your child pain, has cracks or chips, or feels loose, take care of it early in the school year by making an appointment with your dentist. If you don't, it could come up as an issue later when your child has greater athletic or academic commitments.
Orthodontics
Whether your student is entering kindergarten or their senior year of high school, their mouth is changing immensely. Teeth are constantly shifting until your child reaches adulthood. It's important each year to make sure their development is proceeding in a healthy way. If your child has orthodontic concerns, talk to your dentist about a referral. There are also some oral health solutions such as Invisalign Teen and Six Month Smiles that some dentists are certified in administering.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope this week's post helped you get your student(s) off to a healthy new school year. We will share some more dental checklist items next week. Please like our Facebook page or share it with a friend if you enjoy reading our blog.