If it’s not there already, add a back-to-school dental visit to your list! School will be back in session before you know it! As you prepare to send your children off to class with a new backpack, and new clothes, make sure that a back-to-school dental exam is checked off! A healthy smile is the best way to start the school year off right.

Between cookouts, camping trips and everything else going on with your family’s summer activities, it’s easy for the first day of school to sneak up on you. Your children will have a much better school year with less absenteeism and more confidence if dental issues are regularly addressed since there is an undeniable link between oral health and overall health.

Regular dental visits are important year-round, but a back-to-school checkup is key in fighting cavities, which are the most common chronic disease found in school-age children. In fact, dental disease causes children to miss more than 51 million school hours each year. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a dental examination is as important as immunizations and booster shots and should be a regular part of back-to-school preparations. 

Your child’s back-to-school dental checklist should include:

Routine Dental Check-Up

A full dental examination to diagnose and treat or prevent dental problems. Dental problems are not always evident, even when cavities are present, so regular checkups are important. Dr. Shane S. Porter of Premier Dentistry of Eagle may suggest sealants to prevent decay and can diagnose and treat dental problems to save your child pain and lost school time.

Dr. Porter will be looking at the big picture of your child’s mouth, including teeth and gums. He will also check to make sure the teeth are lining up correctly, and look to see if your child’s bite is in good shape and to keep an eye out for any orthodontic issues that may show up later.

Dental X-Rays 

X-rays help Dr. Porter see how your child’s teeth are developing and make sure the tooth roots are healthy. They also are used to see if there is any tooth decay between your child’s teeth. The decay process can move very quickly, so the earlier a cavity is caught, the better. 

Dr. Porter uses state-of the-art digital x-rays to help diagnose your child’s dental health with accuracy, speed and comfort. Traditional imaging was often an uncomfortable and painful experience, especially for a smaller mouth. Digital x-ray equipment is a handheld x-ray device that is much more comfortable than conventional x-rays of the past, the images are bigger and the quality of the image is exceptional.

Good Dental Hygiene at Home

Good dental health for children starts at home with proper dental hygiene and diet. Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day is still the foundation for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Very young children (ages 1 to 5) are particularly prone to tooth decay and parents should supervise (or actually brush for them) to make sure they do a good job.

Professional Teeth Cleaning 

No matter how well your child brushes his or her teeth, it’s not possible to get rid of all the bacteria that can lead to cavities.  That’s why a professional cleaning at your dental exam is so important. The dental hygienist will be able to remove cavity-causing bacteria and the process of cleaning helps to keep gum tissue healthy. A professional cleaning can also remove most of the stains from your teeth.

Make Sure Your Child’s Toothbrush is in Good Shape

When you’re out shopping for notebooks, binders and pencils make sure to go to the dental care aisle and buy a new toothbrush too. The ADA recommend that you buy a new toothbrush every three or four months, or after an illness. If it’s hard to remember when to change your toothbrush, you could try to change it every time report cards come out.

Eating Healthy and Nutritious Food

Eating healthy lunches and snacks will go a long way in protecting your child’s teeth at home and school.

Lunch items and snacks in your child’s lunch box, including grains, milk, cheese, raw vegetables, yogurt or fruit will fill them up and protect their teeth. If your child eats lunch in the school cafeteria, review healthy, balanced food choices before they leave for school.

Tooth decay is on the rise among children, and many dentists believe that diet and overconsumption of soft drinks are to blame. Allowing children to drink sugary drinks and eat sugary snacks can increase the risk of decay.

Playing Sports? Wear a  Mouthguard! 

If your child participates in sports, wearing a properly fitted mouthguard will protect their pearly whites. Dental injuries are the most common facial injury in sports. Pads, helmets and knee pads protect other parts of the body, but a mouthguard is the only protective wear for your teeth. According to the ADA, more than 200,000 oral injuries are prevented each year due to wearing a mouth guard. Mouth guards also protect your jaw, yet in many cases, it is not required equipment. Take matters into your own hands and talk to Dr. Porter about a mouthguard for your child. An intact smile will be your reward. 

Dr. Porter treats his patients with compassionate care, and as a family dentist he treats patients of all ages. Your child’s comfort is an important factor in order to have a satisfactory dental experience. It’s good to know that Dr. Porter and his staff provide gentle, comprehensive dentistry to all of their patients. Call today for an appointment at (208) 546-0655 or contact us online.

Premier Dentistry of Eagle is located at 467 South Rivershore Lane in Eagle, Idaho and is easily accessible to patients in the surrounding communities of Star, Nampa, Middleton, Meridian, Garden City, and Boise. 

When the school bells ring on that first day, you’ll feel contentment as you send your child off for a new year of adventure and learning with a healthy smile! Call us today! (208) 546-0655