Family Dentistry

A Back to School Dental Checklist (Pt. II)

Sep 9 • 2 minute read

A kid magnifying his teeth with a magnifying glass.

 

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.

Recent Articles

The Process of Crafting an Elegant Dental Crown

Restorative dentistry requires a deep appreciation of quality materials and processes. Dental crowns ...

Six Ways to Nurture Little Smiles for National Children’s Dental Health Month 2024

As a parent, you have to constantly juggle all the slices that make up the whole pie of your child’s ...

#national-children's dental health month
Five Bad Habits to Break in 2024 to Conquer Bruxism

Bruxism, or grinding or clenching your teeth, may be causing you to wake up with a sore jaw or contr ...

Connect With Us

Ready to come in for an appointment?
Contact us today!

Christopher and Anne Thompson, DDS
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
Creating Beautiful Smiles in Turlock

Drs. Christopher and Anne Thompson offer quality dental implant, family, and cosmetic dentistry services in Turlock, CA. Make us your family dental center today!

Christopher and Anne Thompson, D.D.S.
795 East Olive Ave. Ste. A Turlock, CA 95380
Phone: (209) 632-8866 URL of Map