Its Time To Schedule a Back To School Dental Checkup
It’s almost that time of year again for the back-to-school dental checkups. The air will soon grow cooler. Leaves will start to change color. You are probably already seeing signs in your favorite stores. It’s almost time to go back to school. You have a million things to do if you’re a parent. You have to take the kids shopping for clothes and school supplies. You need to meet teachers, check game schedules, and prepare times and days for carpools. You may even have to take your kids to the doctor to get shots. Shouldn’t one of your visits be to the dentist?
Your child’s present dental health can set him or her up for a lifetime of healthy teeth. Or, it might bring him or her a lifetime of problems. Proper dental health has to start early for your children to have healthy smiles for life. Let us take a minute to tell you about dental care for your kids — before you rush off to school.
Why Is It Important to Take Your Child to the Dentist?
Many parents have asked us over the years, “Do you have to take your child to the dentist?” The answer is always yes. Many adults believe their children don’t have to see a dentist until their permanent teeth come in. They figure a child’s baby teeth are not as important because children begin to lose them when they begin school. However, that is not the case.
Think of your child’s baby teeth as a flashlight for their mouths. We use flashlights to guide our way in the dark. Baby teeth are the guides for the permanent teeth to come later. If children practice good dental health early, their permanent teeth will come in on time. They are on their way to having healthy mouths. If children don’t have good dental health, their permanent teeth might not come in at all.
What Happens During A Dental Checkup?
When you bring your child to us, the first thing we’ll do is make sure he or she is comfortable. Most children don’t have a fear of the dentist the way some adults do. They are curious and ask questions. We want to give them time to get comfortable with us and ask questions. Then, we will check their mouths for signs of good brushing habits or signs of trouble. We look at the structures of their mouths, teeth, tongues, and gums. Then, we clean their teeth to make them bright and shiny.
We talk to them about any brushing problems they might be having and how to make those problems better. A child’s dental visit shouldn’t be scary or uncomfortable. We do everything we can to make sure your child wants to keep coming back to see us.
Dental Care for School Age
Dental care for school-aged children is all about making sure young children are brushing and flossing twice a day. You can also make sure they are eating healthy snacks that are good for their teeth and gums. Snacks that contain Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and calcium are all important for the growth of teeth and gums. These nutrients help keep teeth strong and gums healthy. Luckily, they are also in a lot of fruits and vegetables, which you want them to eat anyway. Check up on your teenager’s brushing habits as well. Your child may have never had a cavity. Therefore, he or she might be slacking off a bit on his or her dental hygiene.
Getting back To School
Are you looking for a great dentist to take your kids to and get the back to school dental checkup? Contact Dr. Paul Feldman at Suburban Essex Dental. We specialize in Pediatric Dentistry because we love children’s teeth! We are in West Orange, N.J., in Essex County.
