Top Tips for Back to School Dental Care

It’s almost back to school time! With books to buy and uniforms to fit, this is always a very busy period for parents and guardians. There are plenty of boxes to tick to make sure your child is ready for the new term, and their back to school dental health is one of them! 

From tooth-friendly lunchboxes to mouthguard fitting, Dr Jennifer Collins, Clinical Director of Dental Care Ireland, has set out some tips to help you plan for your child’s return to school.

#1 Schedule a check-up

Prevention is better than cure, and regular check-ups with your paediatric dentist are the best way to avoid unnecessary pain and minimise impact on important study time during the school year. Routine attendance will also help to reduce unexpected dental costs in the longer-term. Booking your child’s dental or orthodontic appointments well in advance can also help you plan effectively around their school schedule.

#2 Replace toothbrushes

In the rush to update school shoes, uniforms and stationery for the new school year, be sure to consider replacing the family’s toothbrushes too. It is important to replace your child’s toothbrush at least every three months, or after an illness. To keep their mouths healthy, regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is key.

#3 Supervise brushing

For younger children, parents will still need to provide assistance with brushing, whilst at the same time encouraging them to manage their own brushing routine. Experts recommend that brushing assistance is needed until such time as the child has demonstrated good manual dexterity for independent tasks such as tying shoelaces.

#4 Tooth-friendly lunch boxes

Most schools have a healthy lunch box policy, which goes hand-in-hand with maintaining good dental health. This should include a balance of grains, milk, cheese, raw vegetables, yoghurt or fruit. Ideally, opt for a small child’s size bottle of water or a small carton of milk. Drinking water will help to dilute any acid attacks on the teeth.

#5 Restrict treats to mealtime

With the prospect of birthday party season and Halloween on the horizon, try to limit treats to mealtimes and avoid grazing on them throughout the day. Our saliva production increases during meals, which helps rinse away sugary food particles and can reduce the risk of cavities. Avoid treats that tend to linger in the mouth, such as hard or sticky sweets.

#6 Mouth guard fitting

A properly fitted mouthguard is an essential safety feature for children ahead of the winter sports season. A dentist can custom fit your child’s mouthguard to ensure that it is accurately adapted to the mouth and stays in place securely. As the child’s teeth develop and change, it is important to check each year that their mouthguard still fits.

#7 Emergency contacts

The beginning of the school year is a great opportunity to update your emergency contact list. Ideally, this should include your paediatric dentist’s details so that if your child has a dental emergency at school, your family dentist can be contacted. It is also worth checking if your school has access to a paediatric dentist on call, in case of playground or sports mishaps.

Dental Care Ireland has 29 dental practices nationwide. Click here to find your local practice and book your family’s next dental appointment.