Back to School Preparations

As we embark on the next school year in San Leandro, we have to begin to think about how we should convert our kids from summer mode to school mode. A most dreaded time for the kids, but also an important time to start them off on the right foot, especially when it comes to their teeth.

A great start to the year would be a quick dental appointment. Your dentist can take a look at what the summer sweets have done to their tiny smiles, and if anything needs to be looked after, it can be taken care of before it gets progressively worse. Just because they are baby teeth, doesn’t mean that they can be forgotten. What goes on with their baby teeth will dictate what goes on when their adult teeth come in.

Once the checkup is done and you have some tips to keeping their teeth nice and clean until the next appointment, now it’s time to think about maintenance. While you are out and about picking up school supplies, why not pick up a new toothbrush. It isn’t the most exciting of things to start the school year off right, but a fresh soft bristled toothbrush will help maintain that smile you love throughout the year. If they are active and involved in sports, it’s the perfect time to pick up a mouth guard while you’re at it. Protecting your child’s teeth is definitely something that needs to be considered when you have a little athlete.

Now that you know what to expect from your child’s teeth throughout the upcoming year (thanks to your dentist’s advice), and you are about to break in a new toothbrush to handle the day-to-day upkeep, there really is only one more box you need to check to ensure your little one has a great school year – a good diet. We all know kids love to eat everything bad for them, so it is our job to make sure they keep healthy foods in their bellies. There are lots of fruits and vegetables that actually help keep cavities away. Foods with lots of protein and calcium help their teeth from the inside by building up the enamel, making them stronger. There is a new trend going on with the school lunch game. Bento boxes, food art and sandwich wraps are replacing the standards we are used to. So get creative with their lunch. Kids will be more apt to eat healthier foods if they are fooled to believe it isn’t. Don’t deprive them of the sweet treats they long for, but keep moderation in mind as you pack their lunch boxes. After all, they are just kids. Read the nutritional labels and choose the healthier options, but throw in a little something to let them know you love them.

Going back to school will always be the worst time of year for a kid, so we as parents need to make the transition as painless as possible. And keeping their teeth nice and healthy will make their school pictures absolutely adorable.

Schedule a back-to-school appointment and/or consultation today.

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