Back to School Dental Tips
Getting Your Kids’ Teeth Prepared for Back to School
School is back and full swing and kids are getting back into their educational routine. Between getting off to school, doing homework, and getting to and from extracurricular activities, it can sometimes be hard to remember important things about your children’s dental health. While brushing twice a day and flossing is a must, there are some other things you can be doing to help your child’s dental health earn an A+. Here are some tips to help get your children’s smile back-to-school ready!
- Keep Dental Supplies in Stock: Next time you run to the store, make sure you are loaded up on dental supplies. New toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash are important parts of your child’s dental routine, so making sure you don’t run out is important. New toothbrushes and new supplies can also be a great motivator for children to get into a good dental cleaning routine without having to struggle to get them to brush their teeth. Consider getting small containers of floss for your children’s lunch boxes to encourage them to floss after they eat.
- Pack Healthy Lunches: A healthy mouth starts with a balanced diet, so packing mouth-friendly, healthy lunches can help to aid in your children’s overall dental well-being. Pack foods that are high in calcium, such as milk and cheese, foods high in fiber, like beans and spinach, as well as plenty of water. Additionally, seek out foods that are known to support overall mouth health, such as strawberries, that are both delicious and healthy for children to enjoy.
- Start a Rewards Program: It is easy for children to fall into bad habits during the summer – this has nothing to do with parenting but more with the nature of and freedom that summer often brings. If your children are having a hard time getting back into a good dental routine, consider starting a rewards program – for every day they brush, floss, and follow their dental cleaning routine, they receive a star or a point, then those points add up for a special outing or gift.
Back-to-school means back to a regular routine, for your children’s schooling and their dental health. These tips are great to help your children get out of summertime mode with their teeth and back into a healthy cleaning regime. New supplies, healthy foods and a rewards program will definitely do the trick!
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*Photo Courtesy of Melissa via Creative Commons License