Back-to-School Dental Checklist: Start the School Year with a Healthy Smile

New backpacks, school supplies, new schedules, and packed lunches. There is a lot to think about when getting your family ready for a new school year. One thing that is easy to overlook? Your child's dental health.

Back-to-school season is a great opportunity to reset healthy habits and make sure your child's smile is ready for the busy months ahead. Use this simple back-to-school dental checklist to start the year on the right foot.

1. Schedule a Back-to-School Dental Checkup

If your child is due for a routine dental exam, consider scheduling it before the school year gets too busy. A dental checkup gives your dentist an opportunity to look for cavities and other concerns that may not be causing symptoms yet. Addressing a small issue now could help prevent tooth pain, missed school days, or an unexpected dental appointment later.

Regular preventive visits are also an important part of helping children develop healthy dental habits that can last well beyond the school years.

2. Get the Morning Routine Back on Track

Relaxed summer schedules can sometimes mean relaxed brushing schedules, too. As school approaches, start getting everyone back into the habit of brushing for two minutes in the morning and again before bed.

If mornings tend to be hectic, make brushing part of a predictable routine. For example:

Get dressed. Eat breakfast. Brush teeth. Grab backpack. Head out the door.

Making brushing an automatic part of the morning can help prevent it from being forgotten when everyone is rushing to get to school.

3. Replace That Summer Toothbrush

Take a look at your child's toothbrush. Are the bristles bent, flattened, or frayed? If so, it is probably time for a replacement. The American Dental Association generally recommends replacing toothbrushes or electric toothbrush heads every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become worn. The beginning of a new school year is an easy time to remember to make the switch.

4. Pack a Smile-Friendly Lunch

What your child eats throughout the school day can affect their teeth.

Try including foods such as:

• Cheese

• Fresh fruit

• Crunchy vegetables

• Plain or low-sugar yogurt

• Nuts or seeds, if permitted by the school

• Water

  
  

Sticky and sugary foods tend to stay on the teeth longer, giving cavity-causing bacteria more opportunities to produce acids. You do not have to eliminate treats completely. Instead, focus on creating an overall balance of nutritious foods and limiting frequent exposure to added sugars.

5. Make Water the Everyday Drink

Juice, flavored beverages, soda, and sports drinks can expose teeth to added sugar and acid throughout the day. For everyday hydration, water is usually the smile-friendliest choice. Sending your child to school with a refillable water bottle can encourage them to stay hydrated while also helping rinse food particles from their mouth throughout the day.

6. Prepare for Braces, Retainers, or Aligners

If your child wears braces, a retainer, or clear aligners, school can present a few extra challenges. Consider putting together a small dental care kit for their backpack or locker with items appropriate for their treatment, such as a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, flossers, orthodontic wax, or an appliance case. Remind kids about one particularly important rule: retainers and aligners belong in their cases, not wrapped in a napkin on the lunch table!

7. Don't Forget About Fall Sports

If your child plays a contact or collision sport, talk with your dentist about whether a mouthguard is appropriate.A mouthguard can help protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue from injuries during practices and games. This can be especially important for children with braces, who may have additional considerations when choosing the right mouthguard.

Start the School Year Smiling

Back-to-school season is busy enough without adding an unexpected toothache to the calendar. A few simple steps now can help your child maintain healthy habits throughout the school year.

At Cleary Dental, we're proud to help families in Haddonfield and the surrounding communities care for their smiles at every stage. If your child is due for a dental exam, schedule a back-to-school visit and check one more thing off your family's list.