Back to School Dental Tips!
It’s that time of year again—back to school! That means you’ll want your kids looking their best. You’ll probably want to get some of those dentist appointments out of the way before you have school, sports, and other activity schedules to contend with. Heading into the school year is the perfect time to schedule a check-up with the dentist for your whole family. Get your cleanings, and see what’s up with that sensitivity to ice cream you developed this summer.
Back to school also means back to the routine of brushing before school, and before bed. Back to flossing 2-3 times a day and for some of you, back to making sure you don’t throw your retainer out on your lunch tray (we’re looking at you Billy).
Tips for Back to School Smiles
Best Time to Book an Appointment
It’s always a bit easier to get an appointment during common vacation months or if you plan ahead and schedule your checkups in advance. If you haven’t already scheduled an appointment in advance this year, you can always call and ask to be notified of cancellations and take the first available appointment on a whim.
You should schedule an appointment as soon as possible if you haven’t seen a dentist the past six months or more. You should really come in at least twice per year for a cleaning and dental examination. If we catch a cavity or other dental and orthodontic condition in its early stages, it will be much easier to treat.
Winning Brushing Habits
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing your teeth and tongue with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste cleans food and bacteria from your mouth.
But, how do you make this routine a healthy habit?
Wake up in the morning and brush your teeth. It doesn’t matter if you brush your teeth before or after breakfast, but many people prefer to brush afterwards to avoid the taste of toothpaste interfering with the taste of their food. Some people prefer to brush after breakfast to be sure to remove food particles from their teeth before starting the day at school or work.
How long should you brush your teeth?
You should brush your teeth and tongue for at least two minutes each time you brush.
The proper brushing technique is to gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Floss like you mean it!
- Break off about 18 to 24 inches of dental floss.
- Hold the floss tight with your thumbs and index fingers.
- Place the dental floss in between two teeth.
- As the floss reaches your gums, curve the floss at the base of the tooth to form a C shape and pull it down across each tooth.
- Repeat the steps from tooth to tooth until you’ve flossed them all.
Graduate to a Brighter, Whiter Smile
Back to school is a great time to get your teeth professionally whitened. Your dentist likely has a few options for in office whitening or at home whitening. Over the counter strips, gels, and toothpastes are great, but you’ll get more noticeable results quicker with professional whitening.
Back to School with Braces
Do you need braces and are worried what your classmates will think of your new smile when you go back to school? Don’t fret, there are a number of solutions including Invisalign clear aligners, and many options for braces and retainers. We’ll help you find the right approach to straighten your smile.
A Fresh, Clean Smile
No matter when you go back to school, what grade you’re in, or if you’re the parent of young students, or an adult going back to school; there is nothing better than going back with a fresh, clean smile, and clean bill of dental health. Do your homework and make an appointment today to be ready for back to school in style.