Head Back to School In Style with Healthy Smiles

Fall is just around the corner, which means school will soon be back in session. Before your kids head back for their first day, though, take advantage of the remaining days of summer break, by making sure their smiles get the dental care they need. Routine checkups and cleanings are an essential part of maintaining great oral health. So don’t let your kids start another school year before they’ve each had a preventive dental appointment that can leave their smiles shining and healthy, just in time for their fresh start.

Why Are Checkups and Cleanings So Essential?

Daily dental hygiene, including brushing and flossing, can help keep your kids’ teeth and gums healthy. However they are not a substitute for routine dental visits. That is because a checkup allows the dentist to check for any burgeoning issues, such as cavities, before they’ve had a chance to progress and threaten the loss of a tooth. Routine cleanings are also important, as they allow the dentist to remove any existing plaque buildup before it has a chance to create issues like cavities.

Most dentists recommend patients over the age of one-year-old visit the dentist at least twice a year for these checkups and cleanings. However, if your kids have been prone to cavities in the past, are currently dealing with oral health issues (gum disease, dental trauma, etc.) they may actually need to visit the dentist more frequently in order to protect their smiles.

At their next checkup, talk to your family dentist about your kids’ oral health and what, if anything, more you might need to do to help keep their teeth and gums in good oral health. Some kids may need reminders how to brush properly, for instance.. Others might benefit from fluoride treatments.