With cooler temperatures, shorter days and changing leaves, we’re reminded that fall is either here or will be soon. If you thought your summer was busy, your fall might be even more demanding, especially if you, your children or your grandchildren are returning to school!
Preparing for going back to school is a great time to think about the importance of oral health to overall health and wellness and how critical it is that we care for our teeth and gums. Unfortunately, tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. Nationally, children miss about 51 million hours of school due to dental problems, so it’s helpful to anticipate those problems and address them before school begins. Here are a few thoughts on oral health and going back to school.
Reexamine and refine your children’s oral health habits
This is a fitting time to reexamine daily oral health habits that may have been more relaxed during summer months. Children should be encouraged to gently brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes each time and floss between teeth at least once a day. Prevention is key. The younger children are when they incorporate good oral hygiene habits into their routines, the better it is for their oral and overall health.
Schedule regular dental office visits
During a dental visit, the dentist exams teeth and gums and points out any present or future oral health issues and recommends treatment, if needed. Teeth are cleaned and proper oral health techniques are discussed and demonstrated. Dental insurance typically covers preventive services at 100 percent. If you are uninsured, check with community and state oral health initiatives to determine whether you qualify for one of their outreach programs.
Insist that your children wear mouthguards
We believe that every child deserves a healthy smile, and insisting that your children wear mouthguards for all sports is one way to protect those smiles. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends wearing a properly-fitted mouthguard for all sports, and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) mandates properly fitted mouth guards for many sports. It’s estimated that 39% of dental injuries are sports related. It might help you to know that the Delta Dental Athletic Mouth Guard provides two times the impact absorption of traditional mouth guards, it’s accepted by the ADA and it includes a $10,000 dental warranty. Learn more here.
Make positive oral health habits fun
Show a positive attitude about your own oral hygiene habits and look for ways to make healthy choices appealing to your children. Allow your children to pick their own water bottles to encourage them to drink water instead of soda and sports drinks, and encourage them to pick out toothbrushes in their favorite colors. Maybe it’s time for an older child to try a battery-operated toothbrush? Limit the number of sweets and refined carbs in packed lunches, opting for fruit and cheese cut in fun shapes as part of a healthy lunch or snack. Our oral health resources include Grin! for Kids , an online magazine teaching children about oral health in entertaining ways. Setting aside a bit of time to think about, and act upon, some of these oral health reminders may make the school year easier, while ensuring that your children’s at-home oral health self-care and regular dental office visits contribute to smiles that last a lifetime
