Your child may have tons of fancy new school supplies, the latest, coolest wardrobe, and sports equipment for the upcoming school year, but do they have a healthy mouth? What about all the tools and skills they will need to maintain it? Our Lincoln Dentist for Children at Preserve Family Dentistry, shares her ideas on preparing kids for school and will help ensure that dental problems do not interfere with school performance.
Although we aren’t technically a pediatric dental office or pediatric dentists, still know that every dentist in Lincoln, NE at our dental clinic still cares about your little ones as much as you do and we hope you find our back to school tips useful!
Oral health is just as important as routine immunizations and boosters
Our Lincoln Dentist for Children says: “According to the American Dental Association, an examination for oral health performed by a dentist is just as important as the immunizations and booster shots children need. A dental exam and cleaning should be incorporated into any checklist that parents make to help them and their child(ren) prepare for the upcoming school year. Tooth decay affects more U.S. children than any other chronic or infectious disease, as noted by statistics that were posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 20 percent of children, ages 2 to 19 years old, have some form of untreated tooth decay. Dental pain and or disease can lead to difficulty in many tasks, including eating, speaking, playing, and learning and countless hours of missed school.”
Your Lincoln Dentist for Children states that a back-to-school checklist should always consist of the following:
Regular, routine dental examinations done by a dentist for kids in Lincoln, NE to diagnose, treat, or prevent any dental problems. Catching dental problems early on can save your child from pain and missed school, and in turn, it can save parents money. Parents and teachers often may not realize there’s a dental problem, so regular checkups are critical. Your Lincoln Dentist for Children who offers children’s dentistry in Lincoln, NE, may suggest fluoride treatments or sealants that can help prevent decay. Routine brushing with fluoride toothpaste, along with flossing, can help to prevent further decay. If you want to learn more about bad breath in children, we can help.
Don’t forget toothbrushes!
Make life easy, and while you are out shopping for school, be sure to head for the dental care aisle either before or after getting those awesome new notebooks, binders, and pencils. Furthermore, if parents buy several toothbrushes, it’s much easier and more convenient to have their child change to a new toothbrush roughly every three months. It is also important to remember to switch your child’s toothbrushes after being ill. If remembering when to change toothbrushes becomes a daunting task, replace it every time your child’s report card comes out. Also, your Lincoln Dentist for Children will gladly give you recommendations on timelines for changing your child’s toothbrush if you prefer to have his/her input.
What about school lunches?
Your dentist in Lincoln, NE says to be sure to eat healthy lunches and snacks. Be sure to include portable, healthy lunch items and snacks in your child’s sack lunch. Subsequently, those items can consist of grains, milk, cheese, raw vegetables, yogurt, or even fruit. If your child eats breakfast or lunch in the school cafeteria, review healthy, balanced food choices with him or her before the first day of school. Another great tip is to cut back on soft drinks and sugary foods. Read more about the importance of healthy lunches here.
And sports?
Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard while participating in PE classes, organized sports, or even playground activities can prove to be very beneficial. Your Lincoln Dentist for Children can make custom, affordable mouthguards at any of our Nebraska Family Dentistry locations. For this reason, the price for a well fitted, a custom mouthguard made by a dentist in Lincoln, NE is only $75. We believe in making affordable mouthguards, so everyone can have access to them! After all, we want you to be able to protect your smile.
Preventing decay and gum disease is essential for overall wellness.
Did you know that kids as early as 12 years of age can show signs of gum disease?
Cavities can strike kids as soon as their first tooth comes in, affecting their immune system and overall well-being. Children who develop plaque quickly or have braces, however, might benefit from cleanings every 3-4 months. Consequently, frequent cleanings will help prevent gum disease and aid in the fight against developing cavities.
Braces and orthodontic treatment will help correct crowding and prevent dental disease. In fact, some kids can benefit from Invisalign (clear braces), and summer is a great time to start treatment. Without a doubt, the option of “invisible braces” is popular with teenagers and has many benefits over wearing traditional metal braces.
What do our offices do to ensure your safety? Our Lincoln Dentist for Children explains.
At Nebraska Family Dentistry, our Lincoln dentists know that each parent trusts us to provide a safe and healthy atmosphere for their child(ren). Part of our responsibility to each of you is to provide the highest infection control standards. With high standards, we can ensure your child’s safety and health.
We follow every infection control recommendation from these authoritative sources:
✅ CDC Guidelines
✅ OSHA Guidelines
✅ ADA Guidelines
✅ NE Board of Dentistry Guidelines
✅ Clean Air Project
✅ High Infection Control Standards
We welcome the entire family to our practice and would love the opportunity to teach your child about great oral care. After all, excellent oral care leads to a healthy smile. There is nothing better than a healthy, confident smile! Call a dentist in Lincoln, NE or visit us online at https://nebraskafamilydentistry.com.
This gentle family dentist sees kids of all ages, as well as their parents.
This article was written by our gentle family dentist, Dr. Anton Diy.
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