Your Back-to-School Guide for a Healthy Mouth
New haircut. New clothes. New backpack (or laptop in some cases).
All of this points to one thing: back-to-school!
And there’s no better time than the beginning of a new school year—and a fresh start—to see the dentist.
Whether you’re on schedule with teeth cleanings or some time has passed without regular dental check-ups—we have you covered with your back-to-school guide for a healthy mouth.
YOUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL GUIDE FOR A HEALTHY MOUTH
Even though all dental visits aren’t a walk in the park, we have simple tips to help you feel at ease during this time of year.
DENTAL TREATMENT PLAN
If you’re currently not on a dental treatment plan, now is the time to start.
An initial consultation is a great place to begin and from there the dental office will map out a treatment plan that’s personalized to you and your dental needs.
On a treatment plan already? Wonderful! Maintain appointments and your mouth will continue to thank you.
ORTHODONTICS
School-age children are at the perfect age to begin orthodontics, or at least start the conversation about braces and if that will be part of their treatment plan.
If you do have braces, make sure you have what you need while in school.
It’s a great idea to build a braces kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, dental wax, etc.) and bring that to school with you.
During the day you can use the same water bottle you stay hydrated with to rinse away any of the gunk that builds up in braces. That’ll keep bacteria from festering.
HEALTHY MOUTH HABITS
• Find a dental routine that’s easy and you can stick to (yes, even flossing!).
• Allow your child to pick out their own toothbrush. Kids love autonomy and if a purple toothbrush inspires them to stick to a routine, that’s a win-win situation.
• Don’t forget to acknowledge healthy mouth habits in younger children. Sometimes that positive reward system is just what they need to keep going!
• Talk to your dentist about age-appropriate sealants for added cavity protection and dental health.
• For further safety, a mouth guard is a good idea for children in sports.
• Avoid excess sugar, especially in drinks. Limit simple carbohydrates like popular fruit juices you see in lunches.
• To stay hydrated, drink clean water as much as possible.
• Choose whole foods packed with vitamins and minerals to nourish a child’s growing body.
• And if you’ve put off seeing the dentist—make an appointment!
Sometimes the hardest part is just picking up the phone and calling—after that, it’s time to show up.
Remember: you’re doing something for yourself and the health of your family (that’s a gift!).
Back-to-school time can send us in many different directions, but this year, make it one with less stress and a healthy mouth.
Consistent dental visits—along with nutritious food and beneficial mouth habits—will give you just the jumpstart you need to have a happy and healthy school year!
Ready to start the school year with confidence?
We’d love to support a healthy mouth and smile all year round!
Contact Integrity Dental in Pueblo, CO today to get started.