Get your smile back-to-school ready.

It’s almost time to get back into the classroom, so that means it’s time to make sure your child is ready to show off their smile. When school gets back in session, children sometimes have a hard time getting back into a daily routine, which could also impact their oral hygiene routine. That can be a problem because maintaining a proper oral health routine can help with overall health and lead to more success in school. Your Lawton, OK, family dentist, Sheppard Family Dental Care, is here to help you and your child get an oral health routine in place that works for the school year.

Establish a consistent oral hygiene routine.

The best way to take care of your oral health is by having a consistent and effective oral health care routine. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time, as well as flossing at least once a day. Making time to fit in brushing and flossing is important for a healthy mouth, so make sure you build time into your morning and evening routine for a proper tooth brushing.

If possible, get the entire family involved. This ensures that everyone gets their teeth brushed for as long as recommended. Children also learn by example, so by watching parents and siblings, they’ll understand how important it is to brush their teeth twice daily.

Schedule regular dental checkups.

A part of a good oral hygiene routine includes having biannual dental checkups. A complete dental evaluation at Sheppard Family Dental Care should happen every six months. Regular dental checkups allow the Sheppard Family Dental team to catch any tooth issues before they become big, painful problems. Regular dental checkups also allow our team to monitor the growth and development of your child’s mouth and jaw to ensure their teeth are coming in properly.

Pack tooth-friendly lunches and snacks.

When it comes to school lunches, it can be tempting for your child to grab the nearest fast food solution to fill them up, but there are plenty of easy healthy and delicious foods for their lunchbox. Some of the best things to pack for lunch include low fat cheese, because it is full of calcium, which helps create strong teeth. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, 

like apples, celery, and carrots,  act as nature’s toothbrush because of their fibrous structure, swiping away plaque and bacteria from the mouth as they get chewed. 

Ideally, limit sugar intake in both foods and drinks because prolonged exposure to sugars and acids can cause tooth decay, which, when left untreated, can turn into cavities.

Keep hydrated with water.

There are so many benefits to drinking eight glasses of water a day. Dentists recommend that everyone sip on water throughout the day, instead of sipping on juices or sodas, which are packed with sugars. Drinking water throughout the day helps to keep you hydrated and it also works to keep the pH balanced in your mouth. An added benefit of drinking water is that it helps to wash away any food particles and bacteria left over after a meal.

Use mouthguards when playing sports.

If your child plays sports, it is important that they wear a mouthguard during practice and games. A mouthguard can help protect their teeth from dental injuries while participating in sports. There are many types of mouthguards available, and the Sheppard Family Dental Care team can custom fit your child with their very own mouthguard for maximum protection.

Pack an emergency dental kit.

To help your child prepare for school, pack them an emergency dental kit. It should include items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash. This kit will allow your child to brush their teeth after lunch and snacks. The dental kit can also come in handy if they experience an issue with a food particle being stuck in between their teeth. For younger children, also include a small plastic baggie or container that can be used in case they end up losing a tooth while they are at school.

Plan your back-to-school vit today.

If you or your child hasn’t seen us in the last six months, now is the time to schedule your biannual dental evaluation. Getting back into the school routine can be challenging, but the team at Sheppard Family Dental Care team is ready to perform a complete dental evaluation and professional cleaning to make sure that your child is ready to smile on the first day of school. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!