As summer closes and the back-to-school season begins, it’s the perfect time to refocus on maintaining your child’s dental health. With new routines, sports activities, and the hustle of a busy school schedule, it’s easy for dental care to slip through the cracks. However, prioritizing oral hygiene is essential for ensuring your child starts the school year with a bright, healthy smile.

From brushing habits to dental checkups, this guide will help you stay on track and make dental care a seamless part of your back-to-school routine. At Advanced Smile Care, we understand how busy the back-to-school season can be for families. For nearly 40 years, we’ve been providing comprehensive dental services. We can help ensure your child’s smile remains bright and healthy throughout the school year.

Why Is Dental Health Important During the School Year?

Dental health is essential, especially when your child returns to school. According to Smile California, kids who don’t prioritize their dental health may have a rougher time making friends or getting the information they need to learn in the classroom. This is because kiddos with poor dental health are more likely to miss school days, resulting in lower grades.

Poor dental health is also more likely to lead to infections or other oral cavity issues, putting some kids at higher risk of developing a serious health condition. Some of these conditions may make your child have a harder time speaking, eating, or sleeping. Additionally, kids with poor dental health often have lower self-esteem than other children. 

Due to the several negative implications associated with poor dental health, we encourage families to prioritize oral hygiene habits and regular dentist visits. Our team at Advanced Smile Care can ensure your kiddos feel comfortable and confident whenever they visit us.

How to Establish a Healthy Daily Dental Routine for Kids

When working with your kids to establish healthy habits, creating a routine can help maintain these practices. For instance, we recommend you encourage the following routines in your home:

  • Make brushing teeth a regular habit before heading out for school
  • Kids should brush their teeth before going to bed
  • Use music or other tools to encourage kids to brush their teeth for two minutes
  • Encourage your children to floss at least once a day
  • Make kids excited to brush their teeth with fun toothpaste, toothbrushes, and mouthwash; these may include characters they recognize, their favorite colors, and fun flavors
  • Offer rewards, such as toys, fun activities, or increased access to fun privileges, to reinforce hygienic behaviors
  • Incorporate fluoride into your children’s routine
  • Take your kids to the dentist regularly, at least twice a year
  • Encourage a balanced diet, limiting overly sugary foods, and encouraging kids to eat fruits and vegetables
  • Lead by example, and practice healthy hygiene in front of your kids

Setting your kids up for success with their oral health is essential, as it can help them maintain good grades, make friends, and boost their self-esteem. If you need more tips to encourage dental hygiene during the school year, please call Advanced Smile Care.

The Role of Regular Dental Checkups

Regular dental checkups serve many purposes, especially for those who want to prioritize children’s hygiene and well-being. The following are some of the positive effects regular dental visits can have on your children and the rest of your family:

  • Dental practitioners can teach your kids how to care for their smiles properly, including by providing education on how to brush and floss their teeth correctly
  • Prevent damage to new adult teeth, such as by applying sealants and fluoride treatments
  • Identify dental issues that need to be addressed, such as cavities that need fillings, malocclusions, and misalignments that need orthodontic attention, or wisdom teeth that need to be extracted
  • Reduce pain, discomfort, and risk of medical health issues
  • Boost confidence

Aside from preventing damage and addressing health issues, regular dental checkups encourage another healthy habit in your child. Children who go to the dentist regularly are more likely to uphold this habit in adulthood, meaning they are more likely to have a healthy and lovely smile when they get older.

How Advanced Smile Care Supports Your Child’s Dental Health

At Advanced Smile Care, we’re committed to providing exceptional dental care to ensure your child’s oral health stays on track throughout the school year. Our comprehensive services, including routine cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants, help prevent dental issues before they arise. For kids who experience anxiety, we offer sedation options to make each visit comfortable. 

Our welcoming atmosphere and unique amenities, such as the Comfort Bar and fresh-baked cookies, make your child’s visit to the dentist a positive experience. To set your child up for a successful school year, schedule a visit with us today. Call us at (210) 366-3606 or reach out through our contact form.