We want to help our patients start their school year off right. Of course, kids are always excited to get new clothes and shoes to look just right as they start off a new school year. But having a beautiful, healthy smile to go with those new clothes is extremely important also. A feeling of confidence with a healthy smile can go a long way in boosting one’s self-image, especially considering that the mouth area is one of the first things people notice when interacting with one another socially. So when making that back-to-school list of to-dos, don’t forget to schedule your dental appointments!
Back to school is a hectic time with supplies to buy, programs to sign up for, and lots of forms to fill out. This is a time when you can easily forget about the dentist. But, those visits are important and we’re hearing more schools even require proof that your child sees a dentist these days.
The ADA (American Dental Association) feels that your child’s dental appointments should be part of your back-to-school checklist, as it is just as important for their health as their immunizations and booster shots. Dr. Mak tells us that, “tooth decay affects children more than any other chronic infectious disease.” Tooth decay can actually directly affect your child’s learning. It can lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning, not to mentions missed time away from school. And, no parent wants their child to be disadvantaged in any way or in discomfort.
When considering dental health on your list of back-to-school items to account for, keep in mind the following: dental exams, brushing/flossing/rinsing, healthy lunches, and sports safety.
- Your child should be seeing their dentist every six months. This will provide you with peace of mind that dental problems will not be affecting your child’s learning at school as little problems can be caught and corrected before they manifest more significant problems down the road.
- Brushing and flossing need to be a part of your child’s daily routine. Don’t let early mornings get in the way of that important brushing and flossing time. It’s a must for a healthy mouth. Brush twice a day or more, floss or waterpik once a day, and use a bacteria fighting or fluoride boosting rinse once a day.
- Be sure to plan out your child’s lunches and eliminate as many sugary foods and drinks as you can.
- Athletes involved in contact sports must consider the use of a well-fitting mouth guard.
Don’t forget about maintaining your child’s beautiful smile this school year. Our end of summer schedule fills up quickly so be sure to call us at your nearest convenience to reserve your special time for your special smiles!
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Macomb when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
