The summer holidays are almost over and it’s time to think about the approaching new school year. In between all the book buying, shoe fitting and name-taping, it’s important not to neglect your children’s dentistry and go to dentist for children teeth check up. According to the Oral Health Foundation and Public Health England, around one in four five-year-old in England have had dental decay. So, it is important to do as much as we can to protect young teeth, even in the busyness of the start of a new academic year.
End of summer: dentists for children and top teeth tips
Caring for children’s teeth as they go back to school needn’t be difficult or time consuming. All it takes is some care and attention, along with a few healthy habits. Here are some top tips
Go for a check up
We all lead such busy lives that things like routine check-ups at the dentist can get forgotten. Use the (hopefully) slower pace of the school holidays to visit dentist for children to have everyone’s teeth checked and cleaned. This can help unearth any potential problems before they become more serious. Dentist for children is very important so habit of visiting dentist should be developed.
Be a good role model in this too. Book dentist for children regular dental check-ups . This not only instills confidence into your children, but it means that your teeth can be monitored too. Talk about your experiences with the dentist for children together and discuss ways to help keep your teeth clean and healthy in the future.
Buy new toothbrushes
We are all guilty of letting tatty toothbrushes linger in the bathroom for far too long. However, as they deteriorate and start to lose bristles, they become less effective at cleaning our teeth. It can also be less pleasant all round to use a toothbrush that is past its best. Sometimes, we need all the motivation we can get to maintain a good brushing routine. So, buying a new toothbrush can help with that and brighten up our bathroom.
Ideally, a child’s toothbrush should be changed every three to four months. They can choose from a manual or electric toothbrush – both have advantages. However, the electric toothbrushes do tend to get deeper into the nooks and crannies for a more efficient clean. You can get electric toothbrushes that are suitable for children. Ask dentist for children for their recommendations.
Routine reminders
It’s never the wrong time to remind children how to care for their teeth properly. While they are gearing up to go back to school, they should hopefully be in the right frame of mind to take on information about cleaning their teeth too. Dentist for children recommends brushing teeth twice a day – once in the morning and once at night. You should brush for two minutes each time with toothpaste.
Help your child work out how long this is by getting them a timer. It can feel longer than expected. If you use mouthwash, have it before you brush. This is because leaving the toothpaste on the teeth after brushing can help leave a protective layer against plaque for longer.
Tooth-kind food and drink
Choosing healthy food and drink for school isn’t always straightforward. For instance, if your child has school meals, you have less control over what they consume. Make sure they know what is healthy and what should be avoided or eaten in moderation. Many food and drinks have hidden amounts of sugar. Talk to the school if you have any concerns over what they are serving at lunch time.
If you send in a packed lunch, you can have a bigger say in its contents and so include healthy, low-sugar options to protect children’s teeth. Some schools have a list of prohibited and recommended foods. Give water instead of juice or soda and vegetables over raw fruit where possible. Avoid dried fruit too – this can seem like a healthier option over sweets or chocolate. However, many dried fruit options contain at least as much sugar, if not more.
Mouthguard fitting
Finally, as your children grow up, they will take part in more active sports, playing against bigger and bigger opponents. Many sports departments insist on children having mouthguards before allowing them to play contact sports like rugby or hockey. While you can get these on the high street, it is far better to have them properly fitted. Your dentist for children can go this for you if your school doesn’t offer the service.
The process involves taking an impression of your child’s mouth first. This is then turned into a bespoke mouthguard that fits exactly to the inside of the child’s mouth. A professionally fitted mouthguard protects the teeth and inside of the mouth against knocks and falls. It can enable your child to keep a full and healthy mouth of teeth into adulthood. Book a mouthguard fitting before going back to school to avoid the rush.