One Thing Every Parent Forgets on Their Back-to-School List

Labor Day is just a few weeks away, which means the new school year will be starting soon. Have you already prepared your family’s back-to-school list? Don’t forget to include a trip to a children’s dentist! In addition to folders, binders, and colored pencils, a routine dental checkup is an important part of making sure your child is ready to return to the classroom. A back-to-school dental exam and cleaning will not only benefit your son or daughter’s oral health, but it could also impact their grades!

The Link Between Oral Health and Good Grades

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tooth decay is the most common chronic disease for children ages 6 to 19. If your son or daughter has a painful toothache caused by decay, they likely won’t be able to concentrate in the classroom. They also may not feel like raising their hand to answer teachers’ questions if they are focused on their discomfort. Not paying attention or participating is sure to have a negative impact on their grades.

In addition, dental trouble can cause your child to miss significant time from school. According to the American Dental Association, children with dental diseases miss more than 50 million hours of school each year! Even small problems like emerging cavities can worsen over time and lead to missing days at school.  

Every hour your son or daughter spends inside the classroom is valuable. A back-to-school dental checkup allows your child’s dentist to catch and treat small dental issues before they can cause big trouble.

Tips to Keep Your Child’s Teeth Healthy at Home

Learning doesn’t just happen inside the classroom. Your child’s teachers likely assign homework to help reinforce the day’s lessons. Similarly, practicing excellent oral hygiene outside the dentist’s office is critical to preventing cavities and gum disease. Consider these tips as “homework” your kids (and you) should complete in between dental checkups:  

• Make sure your children brush their teeth twice a day for a full two minutes each time.
• Set a good example by brushing your teeth alongside your children every morning and night.
• Children should also floss at least once a day to remove bits of food stuck between their teeth.
• Include healthy snacks in their packed lunches, like orange slices, yogurt, and cheese sticks. Limit sugary snacks such as candy bars and popsicles.
• If your children enjoy chewing gum, be sure to buy the sugar-free variety.

Following these tips and visiting a children’s dentist before the end of summer will ensure your kids return to school with a happy, healthy smile. Set your children up for academic success by contacting your family dentist today!

About the Author

Dr. Jason Kaopua has over two decades of experience helping patients of all ages achieve and maintain healthy smiles. As a proud father of four, he understands the importance of starting the school year off on the right foot. To schedule a back-to-school dental checkup for your kids, visit the Albright Family Dental website or call 425-267-3333.