It's August, and that means just a few weeks before school starts up again! Here are a few tips for this school year!
Top Ten Teeth Tips for
Back to School
Teaching your kids good dental hygiene
habits early on will not only ensure their oral health, reducing dental bills,
but also their overall health! Help them get an A+ on their next dental report
card:
1.
Bring your child to the dentist at
least twice per year. Keeping the mouth
healthy is very important. Toothaches in
kids can cause them to miss school, which is never a good thing!
2.
Let your child choose his or her own
toothbrush as long as it’s the proper size and soft bristled, it makes for a
more enthusiastic brusher! Replace a toothbrush when it’s worn, bristles
splayed, or after an illness. NEVER
share a toothbrush.
3.
Kids are sensitive to strong flavors
and usually dislike adult toothpaste. Finding a flavor of children’s toothpaste
they like will be trial & error but worth it in the long run.
4.
Using a 2 minute tooth brushing timer will
help to keep track of the time and make sure they’re brushing for the
recommended two minutes three times each day.
5.
Pack a nutritious lunch & snack.
Fresh fruit, vegetables, and cheese are great choices. Cheese, like aged
Cheddar, Swiss, and Monterey Jack, is especially good for teeth because it
neutralizes acids. Avoid fruit juices & sodas because they are very acidic and
erode tooth enamel. Also avoid foods that are sticky or chewy because they will
cling to the tooth surface, allowing the bacteria in plaque to produce more
acid.
6.
It’s unlikely that kids can brush their
teeth after lunch. But a quick trip to the water fountain to rinse their mouths
is almost as good!
7.
Floss picks make flossing easier for
kids and come in fun flavors. Find one they like and the battle is almost won! If you can’t get your kids to floss twice a
day, make sure they floss before going to bed.
8.
Have your child wear a mouthguard while
playing sports. Protecting teeth during
contact sports is very important to avoid broken or loose teeth.
9.
If your child gets hurt on the
playground or bumps or breaks his or her teeth, call your dentist right
away! Some dental emergencies should be
treated immediately to avoid long-term consequences.
10.
If your kids do chew gum, choose gum with xylitol in it, which can
actually help prevent cavities from forming!
For more information, visit us online at www.hudsonvilledental.com
