School’s out for the summer and now is the ideal time to make dental appointments for the whole family. Your children are probably looking forward to camp, vacation, or just enjoying the lazy days of summer by the pool. Although it’s important for everyone to enjoy some free time, it’s also important to ensure that they are healthy throughout these summer months. Scheduling a dentist appointment for your children at the beginning of the summer can have great benefits for their dental health over the next three months.

Amidst all the fun activities that are planned, you may not be thinking about your teeth, but maybe you should. Summer is the ideal time for scheduling your family’s visit to the dentist.

Benefits of Dental Appointments in the Summer

Timing

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you have a dental exam every six months in order to maintain ideal oral health. This course of treatment is designed to ensure that your teeth are clean and healthy, to check for gum disease, enamel wear, and of course to catch any tooth decay or cavities early. Regular dental visits are important because when dental health problems are detected early, treatment is likely to be simpler and more affordable. If you schedule an appointment in June, the next appointment can be calendared right before Christmas, which is when your children are out of school again.

Simplicity of Dental Appointments in the Summer

Summertime appointments are especially convenient if there are any problems, such as wisdom teeth, cavities, etc. where more than one office visit might be necessary.  Those appointments can be inconvenient during the school year. The lazy days of summer provide the perfect opportunity, and if your children need down time for recovery after an extensive procedure, they are not missing crucial classroom time. Taking a day off to rest in the summer can be a lot more restful than any other time of year.

Curbing Cavity Prone Sugar Consumption

Summer usually means more sugar in your diet; soda, ice cream and popsicles, all add up to a greater sugarload than usual. This can take a toll on your oral health. Adults and kids alike have a tendency to load up on their sugary intake during this time of year. A visit to the dentist in the summer can help protect your teeth against the deluge. Now might be the time to apply dental sealants to keep the grooves of their molars safe from decay. For adults, a good cleaning removes the plaque buildup which worsens with increased sugar consumption.

Everyone, whether adult or child, should limit sugary drinks, and drink plenty of water or milk. Avoiding soft drinks and energy drinks may be difficult to do, but the pay-off is healthier teeth and a smaller waistline. Summer is a great time to provide plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for snack time. Click for more tips on curbing sweets!

Establish a Routine

A visit to the dentist in the summer can help protect your children’s teeth against irregular summertime schedules. Bedtime during the summer is usually not as strict as it is during the school year, and some of your teeth brushing routines may go by the wayside. Even though you drag in after a late movie or fireworks display, avoid the temptation to skip brushing before bedtime, or let toothbrushing slide when they sleep in the next morning.

As always, daily oral habits make a difference when it comes to caring for your teeth.

• The most important daily habit is to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time. Ideally this is done before bed and after breakfast.
• Daily flossing helps to clean out the tight spaces between the teeth.
• Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash before bedtime. It can kill germs that cause bad breath and does a good job diminishing the cotton candy, watermelon or late-night milkshake that your toothbrush missed.

Beat the Rush for Back to School Preparation

Three months passes by in a flash and before you know it, the back to school requirements for physical and dental checkups will be due. Getting those required forms out of the way early means a less hectic start to school and your children will be ready for their class pictures at the beginning of the school year in September.

Premier Dentistry of Eagle Dental Summer Appointments 

Make your children’s dental health a priority this summer and give us a call at (208) 546-0655 to schedule your dental visit. Dr. Shane S. Porter of Premier Dentistry of Eagle has the skills and expertise to take care of all of your dental needs and the dental needs of your whole family.

Dr. Porter provides comprehensive dentistry for all of his patients.  Dental problems such as complex full mouth restorative treatments and wisdom teeth removal to sleep apnea treatments, he has the ability to provide the services and treatments you need.

In practice since 1999, Dr. Porter strives for dental excellence and cares personally about each patient as he creates a comfortable and relaxing dental experience for you and your child. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree while accumulating many academic and clinical awards, including board certification by the American Board of General Dentistry, a distinction earned by only one percent of all dentists in America. He also earned his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry and stands out as an excellent dentist in countless ways. Learn more about Dr. Porter and his whole team!

Located at 467 South Rivershore Lane in Eagle, we treat patients in the surrounding communities of Star, Middleton, Meridian, Garden City, and Boise, Idaho.

Summer is a great time for fun activities, vacations, and dental checkups! Contact us to schedule your child’s summer appointment today while the livin’ is easy!