Much to the disappointment of kids everywhere, summer is almost over. And that means getting ready for the new school year by buying clothes, supplies, books and more. But one thing you may not have on your list is scheduling a checkup with a family dentist. While it may seem like just “one more thing” on your busy schedule, it’s well worth it to take care of it now when your kids don’t have school, sports, and other activities to think about! Keep reading below to learn about 4 great ways a checkup will benefit your child’s oral health and prevent many dental problems that need attention down the road.
1. You’ll Prevent Serious Sports-Related Injuries
It goes without saying that it’s so much easier to prevent an injury rather than treat it after the fact. If your child plays contact sports or even enjoys activities like skateboarding, a custom-made mouthguard is an easy way to prevent serious injuries like knocked-out teeth. In addition, research has also shown that since custom-made appliances are better-fitting and made of thicker material, they even reduce the severity of concussions.
2. It Will Improve Their Oral Hygiene
Many children struggle with their oral hygiene at home and parents often struggle to get them to brush and floss. In many cases, hearing about the importance of good habits from a professional is the extra “nudge” kids need to do better.
Also, a dentist will provide tips that are tailored to your child’s needs and can recommend the best tools for them to use (e.g. floss picks, an electric toothbrush, fluoride mouthwash, etc.) Since you’ll be doing back-to-school shopping anyway, it’s a perfect time to pick these items up at the store.
3. It Minimizes the Need for Major Dental Work
If your child has small cavities that they don’t feel yet, a dentist can find and treat them before they turn into bigger problems later on. By spending the time now to make sure they have a clean bill of dental health, you’ll avoid the need to schedule more extensive dental work after the school year is underway.
4. You Can Prevent Problems Rather Than Treat Them
There are several simple preventative procedures a dentist may recommend that can be conveniently done before school starts. Examples include professional fluoride treatments to strengthen a child’s enamel and prevent tooth decay, as well as sealants. These clear, thin coatings are placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to keep cavity-causing bacteria from getting into the grooves where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Along with fluoride treatments, sealants are an incredibly effective tool for prevention.
By scheduling routine dental care now, you’ll rest easy knowing your child is heading into the school year with a healthy smile!
About the Author
Dr. Cale Beasley is a second-generation family dentist and a graduate of the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He loves working with patients of all ages and always encourages regular checkups to help minimize major dental work as much as possible. If you have any questions or want to schedule a checkup, he can be contacted via his website.