Back-to-School Dental Care

Following months of disruption and altered schedules, the return to school this year is a timely reminder to re-establish your family’s dental health routine.

From tooth-friendly lunchboxes to mouthguard fitting, Dr Karen Grealis at our Ashbourne/Navan practices shares six top tips on back-to-school dental care.

#1 Schedule a check-up

Prevention is better than cure, and regular check-ups 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.

#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, and 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.

Dental Care Ireland is offering half-price kids’ check-ups throughout the month of September. To book a back-to-school dental exam, contact your nearest practice here