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Back to school dental health: make sure you’re ready!

Back to school dental health can be overlooked but it is crucially important. Make sure your child’s teeth are kept strong by following these tips!

Back to school dental health can sometimes be overlooked but it is crucially important. Make sure your child’s teeth are kept healthy and strong by following these tips

 

Our long, hot summer is coming to an end, which means back to school time is approaching fast. 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!

It’s so important to make sure their teeth and oral hygiene is as good as it can be, which is why we are offering a free child’s dental examination with adult examinations for the month of August. But other than taking them to the dentist for their regular check-up, what can you do to make sure their dental health is excellent?

Mark your calendar

Firstly, it’s worthwhile to take a few minutes out of your day to plan dental visits in advance, so as not to interfere with your child’s school schedule. “It is a great idea to plan all orthodontic visits at the start of the school year to restrict interruption to teaching time, particularly in the case of students preparing for state examinations,” says Dr Paul O’Dwyer, Group Clinical Advisor at Dental Care Ireland.

Similarly, the start of the school year is a good time to update the family’s medical history, letting your dentist know of any allergies or recent hospital admissions.

Sports and dental health

Sports can impact hugely on back to school dental health. Approximately one third of adult dental injuries are linked to sports, and studies have shown that the chances of injury are almost twice as high when a mouthguard is not worn. As such, it is crucial that your child wears a mouthguard while playing contact sports such as rugby, soccer, Gaelic football, hurling or hockey.

There are three different types of mouthguard available on the market: stock mouthguards, which are inexpensive but can be cumbersome; boil and bite mouthguards; and custom-fit mouthguards. It is worth discussing your options with your dentist when you visit before the school year begins.

“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,” says Paul.

Maintain good habits

The start of the school year is a great time to take a look at your daily schedule to ensure you’re fostering strong dental care habits. Make sure your child brushes their teeth regularly, flosses once a day after dinner, and changes their toothbrush every three months or after an illness.

“For younger children just starting school, parents will still need to provide assistance with brushing, whilst at the same time encouraging them to manage their own brushing routine,” says Paul.

This is also the right time to evaluate what goes in your child’s lunchbox – avoid fruit drinks, fizzy cans, chocolate and smoothies, and replace sugary snacks with vegetables, cheese or fruit.

Get younger children used to the dentist!

Younger children may still be getting used to the idea of visiting the dentist, so bringing them before school starts is a good plan so they have a decent bit of time to acclimatise to what can still be a strange environment for them. Dental practices are very bright and clean, and it’s important your child isn’t rushed in and out of the practice too quickly.

It is also worthwhile checking if your child’s school has a dentist on call, to ensure that someone is on hand quickly if an accident occurs. If you follow these tips, your child’s teeth will be in great shape!

Dental Care Ireland is offering a free child’s dental examination with adult examinations for the month of August. Get in touch with one of our practices around the country to enquire about back to school dental health and to book an appointment. Dental Care Ireland practices around the country open late, on weekends and during lunchtime, so make sure you consult our opening hours for more information. Terms and conditions apply to offer