Back To School Oral Hygiene

Back To School Pediatric Dentistry Oral Hygiene Tips

date: 03.29.2024

Author:

Dr. Elizabeth "Andie" Shin, DDS - BCC Pediatric Dentistry

Elizabeth Shin, D.D.S

Elizabeth "Andie" Shin, D.D.S. is a board-certified, award-winning pediatric dentist and the Founder and President of BCC Pediatric Dentistry. Most of all she loves helping children achieve lifelong oral health.

Let’s Get Those Smiles Ready For School!

Going back to school is an exciting time for kids of all ages. It’s a time for new beginnings, meeting new friends, and learning new things. But before the fun can begin, your child needs to be prepared both mentally and physically. One important aspect of getting ready for school is making sure your child has good oral hygiene habits. BCC Pediatric Dentistry can help make the transition back to school easier than ever with our Back to School Oral Hygiene Tips!

It’s hard to believe, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of our children have not shown their smiles in school for nearly two years!  How wonderful it will be to see their happy smiling faces once again.  Let’s get them ready to light up those classrooms with their big beautiful smiles!
– Dr. Elizabeth Shin

The Importance Of Oral Hygiene For Kids

It’s important for kids to maintain good oral hygiene habits year-round, but it’s especially important during back-to-school season. Poor oral hygiene can lead to a number of problems, including:

  • bad breath
  • tooth decay
  • toothaches
  • tooth loss
  • infection, and
  • preventable diseases

Many of these preventable problems can cause students to miss school and fall behind in their learning – and then they have to catch up! That’s why it’s so important to make sure your child is brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting the pediatric dentist for routine dental examinations and cleanings.

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The Benefits Of A Healthy Smile

A healthy smile is important for kids of all ages. A bright, sparkling smile can boost your child’s confidence and help them feel ready for the new school year. In addition to boosting your child’s self-esteem, a healthy smile can also provide a number of other benefits. A healthy smile can help your child eat and speak properly, and it can also help protect their teeth from tooth decay and gum disease.

Back To School Oral Hygiene Tips

The following is a list of tips that will help your child have a successful school year when it comes to oral hygiene:

  • Establish a regular brushing routine for your children. It’s important to make sure your children brush their teeth at least twice a day, morning and night. Be sure they brush all surfaces of their teeth, using gentle circular motions. And don’t forget to remind them to brush their tongues too – this is an often overlooked area that can quickly become home to bacteria and plaque. What is the best toothbrush for a child
  • Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste helps protect teeth against decay and cavities. Choose a toothpaste that bears the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval – this means that it has been tested and found to be effective in fighting cavities and plaque buildup.
  • Floss daily. Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from between the teeth and along the gum line. Be sure they floss once a day, using gentle up-and-down motions.
  • Avoid sugary snacks and drinks. Sugary snacks and drinks are one of the leading causes of tooth decay. To avoid cavities, limit your child’s intake of sugary snacks and drinks, including candy, cookies, cake, soda, and fruit juice.
  • Drink waterDrinking water is not only good for your child’s overall health, but it can also help rinse away plaque and bacteria. Be sure they drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially after meals and snacks.
  • Encourage a healthy lunch and healthy snacksA healthy diet is important for your child’s overall health, including their oral health.  You can pack a healthy school lunch and healthy snacks for your child. There are many recipes online and plenty of pre-packaged lunches available at most grocery stores. For snacks, be sure to include crisp fruits and raw vegetables such as carrots, celery and apples. These options help remove plaque from teeth, protect gums, and freshen breath!
  • Sports Mouth Guards. If your child plays sports, it’s important to protect their teeth with a mouth guard. Mouth guards help cushion the teeth and prevent them from being chipped or broken if your child takes a fall or is hit in the face.
  • Dental Sealants. Dental sealants are a thin coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants help prevent tooth decay and cavities by protecting the teeth from plaque and bacteria. If your child has sensitive teeth or has a hard time with dental hygiene dental sealants can help. Learn more about dental sealants.
  • Oral Health & Hygiene Education. Since back to school is our topic, let’s not forget oral health & hygiene education! We believe that oral health and hygiene education for our parents and young patients leads to improved lifelong oral health. BCC Pediatric Dentistry offers a variety of educational resources to help your child learn about oral health and hygiene.  Ask about these resources at your child’s next appointment.
  • Schedule a pediatric dental checkup with BCC Pediatric Dentistry. It’s important to have your child’s teeth examined by a pediatric dentist at least once every six months. This will help ensure that any potential problems are caught early on, before they have a chance to become serious.

Following these tips will help your child have a successful school year both academically and orally!

BCC Pediatric Dentistry Is Your Friendly Bethesda Pediatric Dentist!

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist to help your child get ready for back to school, look no further than BCC Pediatric Dentistry. We offer a variety of pediatric dentistry services, including routine dental examinations and dental cleanings, dental sealants, sports mouth guards, oral health and hygiene education, and restorative pediatric dentistry. We can help your child achieve and maintain a healthy smile all year long!

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping your child have a successful school year!

Need A First Dentist Appointment For Your Child?

Do you have a child ready for their first dental visit?  Looking for a new pediatric dentist in Bethesda MD for your Children? Request an appointment with BCC Pediatric Dentistry.

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