Every child wants to look their best when they head back-to-school this fall. You picked up all their school supplies, bought new outfits, scheduled haircuts, but don’t overlook maintaining one of their most visible features, their smile. One of the first things that people notice about someone is their smile, and a good smile creates a positive self-image. Back-to-school time is the perfect time to incorporate good oral health habits into a child’s daily routine. Your child’s back-to-school checklist should include these dental tips:

Schedule regular dental visits

Seeing Dr. Fulmer twice a year during the school-age years is vital because this is the time where there is great change in the mouth, with kids losing baby teeth and permanent teeth coming in. One of the most common childhood diseases is tooth decay, and left untreated, it can impair a child’s ability to eat, speak, sleep and learn.

Establish daily brushing habits

Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and before bed. There is little time to spare for most families on school mornings, and sometimes kids eat their breakfast on the way to school. If that is the case, it’s not necessary to wait until after breakfast to brush their teeth. Brushing before breakfast will help ensure kids brush their teeth before heading off to school.

Eating healthy lunches and snacks

Pack a healthy lunch and snack for your child. Healthy lunch items and snacks include grains, raw vegetables, yogurt or fruit. If your child eats from the school cafeteria, review healthy, balanced food choices wit them before the first day of school. Cut back on sugary foods, soft drinks and juice, as the sugar can coat the teeth, promoting tooth decay. Instead of juice and soft drinks, teach your child to drink water.

Be safe in after-school activities

Athletics are fun and most parents go to great lengths to see that their children have all the best equipment in the various youth sports programs in Kenosha County. They want their children to not only enjoy the competition and recreation, but to be as safe as possible in doing so. Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard while participating in organized sports, is essential to protecting your children’s teeth. Fulmer Dentistry offers custom mouthguards in school and team colors.

Make an appointment today with Fulmer Dentistry to kick-off the school year with a great smile!