The team at Elite Dental of Staten Island have put together some simple tips to keep your child’s teeth healthy and bright throughout the school year
The ski jackets and hot cocoa have been traded in for uniforms and books as your little ones head back to school. This year will be filled with the excitement of different teachers, new classmates and more challenging subjects. But why not make their oral hygiene routine just as exciting? Remember, the tooth fairy only comes for healthy teeth!
When you want to set your kids up for success in the new school year, oral health is another thing to consider
You’ve done everything you can think of to help them succeed in school, but have you thought about their oral health? Establishing positive habits during childhood is the basis for creating and maintaining good dental health all the way through adulthood. Make this new school year the year to instil good habits that will set your child up for ongoing oral health.
1. Develop a good dental hygiene routine
It’s recommended children brush their teeth twice a day and floss daily. The earlier kids are habituated to this routine, the more likely they are to keep it up. Stress to them the importance of this routine and don’t let them skip their morning brush – even when you’re in a rush to catch the school bus.
A great tip to keep them on track is to brush and floss with them so your child can see that it’s a normal, grown-up thing to do. Not only will it help to cement your child’s oral hygiene routine, you’ll be held accountable for the health of your teeth too.
2. Make brushing and flossing fun
Daily brushing and flossing can be something to look forward to and it’s easy to brush for two minutes twice a day, every day when your toothbrush has Cinderella or Spiderman on it. Also, let them choose a two-minute song and make it a game to brush their teeth until it’s over.
3. Pack a healthy lunchbox
When we eat, we often don’t think about how it can affect our oral health. Many of the same things considered to be unhealthy for the body are also unhealthy for our teeth, which is especially true for children. Sugary, sticky and starchy foods often get caught in the small gaps between our teeth and cause decay.
Try packing your child’s lunchbox with snacks like veggies, fruits, nuts, wholegrain bread, cheese and yoghurts. But it’s also important to talk about what sort of foods they are eating at school so they can become familiar with everyday foods and “sometimes foods”. With so much unhealthy food available today, it’s imperative that children are well informed when making decisions about what they eat, even from a very young age.
4. Think ahead
By taking a few moments to give some thought to your child’s dental health now could save you stress, time and money in the future.
- Instead of booking your child’s checkup and clean last minute, book it in well in advance for a time you know will be convenient
- Leave an extra toothbrush at your child’s best friend’s house for impromptu sleepovers
- Put your contact information on file at your child’s school in case of a dental emergency
Things like this are simple to do ahead of time and can make a real difference.
5. Regularly visit the dentist
The team at Elite Dental of Staten Island recommends children come and visit every six months for a regular checkup and clean. They have a focus on preventative dentistry where the goal is to catch issues before they become expensive problems. At your child’s next visit ask the team for some tips to prevent gum disease and decay and how you can strengthen their enamel.
Start the school year off with a smile
Elite Dental of Staten Island is a family-friendly clinic that welcomes children of all ages. They strive to give you and your child the best experience and highest quality of care at every visit.
For more information on your child’s dental health or to book an appointment, contact us today.