Tips to Help School-Age Children Stay on Track for a Healthy Smile

3 November 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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If your child is at the age when they are being shipped off to school each day, then it might be harder for you as a parent to help your child have good dental hygiene. But here are some steps that you can take to encourage a white smile even while your kids are in school.

Pack a Toothbrush and Floss

One thing that can really help is to pack a toothbrush and floss with your child's lunch. This way, they will be reminded to brush their teeth after every meal or snack to prevent food from sticking around on their teeth for too long.

Talk Regularly About Dental Hygiene

Even though you aren't around your child to monitor their brushing and flossing habits, you can still get a sense of whether they are following their routines by making dental hygiene a regular conversation topic. A simple reminder every once in a while can help to reinforce that this is an important part of the day.

Pack Healthy Lunches and Snacks

You can also help your child avoid tooth decay by packing healthy snacks that won't take a toll on their teeth. Avoid processed and sugary foods that could quickly eat away at tooth enamel. Foods that are sticky should also be limited, since they tend to make contact with the tooth enamel for longer. Crunchy foods are also harder on teeth, since they cause more wear and tear. Foods like low-sugar peanut butter, avocados, and yogurt are examples of snacks that are healthy for teeth.

Set a Good Example

If you are setting your children on a great dental hygiene plan, it's important that you also take steps to show that you are following a similar plan. This includes packing your toothbrush to work every day and choosing healthy snacks. If you can show your child that you are in this together, they are more likely to be enthusiastic about their dental health routines and stick with them.

Get Regular Dental Checkups

Finally, having good daily dental practices at school only goes so far. Don't forget about those important family dentistry checkups. Your child will need regular teeth cleanings to remove plaque from those hard-to-reach places. Cavities may spring up every once in a while, even if you are taking care of your teeth properly. And sometimes, discoloration on children's teeth can be a result of factors out of their control; regular teeth whitenings with a cosmetic dentistry specialist might be needed to keep their smile in top shape.

Visit sites such as http://www.drclschneiderdentalcare.com to find a dentistry near you.