As you’re preparing your child for the new school year, you’ll naturally want to take any steps you can to ensure that they’ll be as safe as possible. But have you done all you can to protect their smile? Dental emergencies can strike anywhere at any time, and the pain they can cause is the last thing you want your child to have to deal with while they’re settling into a new class. Fortunately, you can significantly lower your child’s chances of suffering from urgent dental problems by following these 4 simple tips.
1. Schedule a Dental Exam for Them Before School Starts
Catching small dental issues now can help prevent emergencies later. As such, before the school year begins, you should bring your child to the family dentist for a thorough checkup and cleaning. During their examination, the dentist will check your little one’s mouth for signs of tooth decay and other oral health threats. If they find any issues, they will let you know what options are available for treatment.
2. Make Sure Your Child is Practicing Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral health habits can help ensure that your child’s smile stays safe throughout the school year. Make sure that they’re brushing at least two times a day with fluoride-based toothpaste to keep cavities and gum disease at bay. If your child doesn’t currently floss, you should help them start. After all, flossing is crucial for removing food particles and bacteria from the spaces between the teeth that can’t be effectively cleaned with a toothbrush.
3. Provide Your Child with a Smile-Friendly Diet
The foods that your child eats can have an impact on their smile in the long run. When planning their diet, try to minimize their exposure to sugary or starchy foods that can encourage tooth decay. Instead, give them foods that can help promote a healthy mouth. For example, crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples and carrots act as natural toothbrushes, removing plaque from your child’s teeth while they chew them.
4. Make Sure Your Child Has a Mouthguard
Will your child be participating in any sort of sport at school? If so, you should make sure that they have a mouthguard even if you aren’t told that it’s a requirement. A professionally made mouthguard can help ensure that your child’s teeth stay safe if they ever experience a sudden blow to the face or jaw.
Taking the right precautions can go a long way toward making sure your child’s smile stays safe at school. That said, even if you do everything right, the odds of a dental emergency happening are never zero. If you do notice any warning signs of a potential dental issue, it’s best to call your child’s dentist right away so that the problem can be dealt with sooner rather than later!
About the Practice
At EMA Dental of Westfield, we bring local families comprehensive, judgment-free dental care that can help them maintain beautiful, healthy smiles for life. We offer a number of services for preventing dental issues, including thorough checkups and cleanings. At the same time, we’re happy to schedule same-day appointments for patients who need emergency care. If you would like to schedule a back-to-school dental checkup for your child at our office, visit our website or call (413) 568-1698.