It seems hard to believe that we’re on the downswing of summer already. Maybe it seems like the previous school year just ended and now we’re talking about establishing routines for the upcoming school year. It’s a good idea to start thinking about those new routines now. Unfortunately, dental health is one that many parents and students alike seem to forget.

Keep Up with a Toothbrushing Routine

For many kids, the school year means getting up much earlier than they’re used to. The morning rush can mean they forget to brush their teeth altogether or do a poor job of it. Tooth decay is the inevitable result when this continues for too long.

Be sure to establish a consistent routine for younger kids and let older kids take responsibility for their own. This might mean adding five minutes to the morning routine to ensure that your kids do a good job of brushing and flossing their teeth. For older kids, let them know that you expect them to take good care of their teeth and that a poor report from the dentist means that you will need to supervise them more.

It’s also important for kids to brush and floss their teeth before going to bed. Once it becomes part of the expected routine, your kids should do it automatically. As life gets busier in the fall, don’t forget to schedule a preventive care exam for your child at least twice a year.

Consider a Mouth Guard for Sports

According to the American Dental Association, up to 70 percent of children’s sports leagues don’t require participants to wear mouth guards. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t important for your child to do so. We recommend bringing your son or daughter into Hanson Dental before the start of the school sports season for us to fit him or her with a customized mouth guard.

Keep in mind that it only takes one ball or elbow to the face for your child to lose a tooth or have his or her jaws pushed out of alignment. While these issues can affect your child’s oral health for a long time, they’re entirely preventable with a mouth guard no matter what the sport.

The Importance of Healthy Snacks

Spending all day learning will make any child hungry. That’s why it’s important to have healthy snacks available the minute your son or daughter gets off the school bus. High-sugar treats might be easier to grab, but consuming too many of them can quickly lead to tooth decay. Instead of candy and sugared soft-drinks, try offering some of these snacks instead:

  • Whole-grain crackers
  • Cheese sticks
  • Yogurt
  • Air-popped popcorn
  • Carrot sticks
  • Apples other crunchy fruit
  • Smoothies

We’re Here to Help You

Hanson Dental understands that guiding your children towards good oral health can be a challenge, especially when they’re away from you for a good part of the day. Please let us know if you would like additional tips for success this school year or need to schedule an appointment by contacting us at 763-682-9796.

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