Summer is ending, autumn is arriving, and back-to-school season is in full swing. Mississauga families like yours are preparing for another year of homework, exams, and routine after a relaxing (or exhausting) summer holiday. As busy as this time of year can get, it’s important that your family stays on top of their oral care habits.
Getting your child ready for school should involve a few updates to their oral care. This includes, for example, stopping by Bristol Dental Clinic to see their Mississauga dentist for a checkup. We will offer a few more tips in this article.
1. Schedule a back-to-school dental appointment
With the start of a new school year just around the corner, parents throughout Mississauga are beginning to grapple with their considerable “Back-to-School To-Do Lists.” There is always so much to do in such a short amount of time.
You’ve barely had time to recover from your vacation before the shopping and errands begin: school materials, new clothes, and haircuts, oh my! However, what about a checkup with their Mississauga dentist?
Getting your child ready for school is truly a team effort—and your family dentist has an important part to play. Regular checkups and professional cleanings are vital to your kid’s oral health. These appointments help keep their mouth healthy, free from decay, infection, and disease.
Additionally, they provide a crucial opportunity to monitor the development of their teeth, gums, and bones, and catch any problems early. This is especially important for younger patients.
Each member of your family should be visiting Bristol Dental Clinic every six months. The end of summer is the perfect time for one of these routine appointments.
Between sweet treat indulgences, dehydration, and disruptions to established routines, summer can be particularly tough on your family’s health. Consequently, it’s a good idea to have everyone’s mouths checked for cavities and other oral health issues.
2. Get them a mouthguard for sports
If your child plays sports, then they need to wear a mouthguard. Contact sports, in particular, pose significant risks to their oral health. All it takes is an elbow, ball, or blow to the face to unleash serious damage to their mouth.
Mouthguards reduce the intensity of such impacts, thereby helping to prevent tooth damage, tooth loss, and a trip to the orthodontist in Mississauga.
A custom mouthguard, made by your dentist, offers the best protection. Since it’s made specifically for your child’s mouth, it fits perfectly. As a result, it’s more effective (and comfortable) than the generic options sold at pharmacies. An ill-fitting mouthguard can actually increase the risk of tooth damage during an impact. It can also become a choking hazard if it gets dislodged,
Store-bought mouthguards are made from lower quality materials, so they don’t provide the same level of protection. This also means that they don’t last as long as high-quality, custom mouthguards.
3. Encourage healthy eating habits
Healthy eating habits are vitally important for the prevention of cavities and other oral health issues. We understand that indulgences are common during the summer months, but the sooner you begin guiding your child back to a healthy diet, the better. Sweet treats are meant to be just that—a treat saved for special occasions or festivities.
Even on the hottest of summer days, you should encourage your kids to stay away from sugary snacks and beverages. The healthiest drink is always a big glass of water.
Water helps them stay hydrated, while also washing away leftover food particles and bacteria. Every time your child gulps down a sweet pop, sports drink, or juice, they’re effectively bathing their teeth in sugar. It’s a recipe for tooth decay.
Bear this in mind when you start packing your kid’s school lunch. Instead of including a pop or concentrated fruit juice, opt for a reusable bottle filled with water.
Additionally, make sure you’re filling their plates (or lunch boxes) with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins. Pre-packaged and processed food may scream convenience, but they’re usually filled with sugar and other unhealthy additives. Sugary, sticky, and hard snacks should also be avoided.
Remember, the higher their sugar intake, the higher their risk of cavities. Conversely, a diet rich in vitamins and minerals helps build strong teeth and healthy gums.
4. Replace your child’s toothbrush
This is an easy task to check off your to-do list, but it’s often forgotten. You would be surprised how many patients neglect to replace their toothbrush regularly, or maybe you wouldn’t be surprised at all. After all, when was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? If that’s a hard question to answer, then you’re likely overdue for a swap.
Every member of your family should get a new toothbrush every three months or whenever the bristles start to fray. Toothbrushes with worn bristles are not very effective, leaving your child’s mouth vulnerable to decay and disease. So, even if they’re brushing twice a day, they won’t see the same benefits. They need a high-quality toothbrush that’s in good repair.
Toothbrushes are your family’s number-one weapon against oral bacteria, plaque, tartar, and cavities. Picking up new toothbrushes for your children and spouse ensures that you’re all starting the new school year on the right foot. Always opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush with rounded bristles since hard bristles can damage the tooth enamel.
Letting your young children pick out their own toothbrushes is also a great way to get them excited about their oral care.
5. With young children, supervise their oral hygiene habits
You need to be involved in your child’s at-home oral hygiene routine when they’re small. As their parents, it’s your responsibility to teach them about the importance of caring for their teeth and gums, and the proper techniques to do so. This helps them build positive lifelong dental habits, ensuring their long-term oral health.
Children under the age of six lack the fine motor skills necessary for effective brushing and flossing. Therefore, they need your help. Let them do as much brushing as they can on their own, but step in when they need some extra help.
Your child should learn how to brush and floss properly between the ages of seven and twelve. However, they may still need supervision and encouragement. Children at this age are more likely to skip a few regular brushings, which can quickly snowball into serious neglect of their oral health.
Choose Bristol Dental Clinic in Mississauga
As your trusted dentists in Mississauga, Bristol Dental Clinic is here to secure your family’s long-term oral health. Our knowledgeable and friendly family dentists welcome patients of all ages. Make sure to visit us for a regular checkup and professional cleaning as part of your back-to-school preparation.
To book an appointment with a dentist in Mississauga, call Bristol Dental Clinic at 866-673-2109 or contact us here.
