4 Health Benefits of a Back-to-School Dental Exam

For many parents, getting their children ready to go back to school often includes shopping for the right clothes and checking items off a supply list. Scheduling a pediatric dental exam should also be included as part of these annual preparations.

 

Here are a few of the ways that taking your child to see one of our professionals at the Pediatric Medical Group before the start of the school year can result in an improvement in overall health.

 

1. Confidence Boost

Promoting the importance of dental hygiene at a young age is a great way to build your child's confidence. Not only will their mouth and teeth feel healthy, but their appearance will be healthy, too. A brighter smile is the perfect tool for building morale, which can lead to more positive social interactions with peers and teachers.
 

Here are some common dental problems that can affect appearance and negatively influence a child's self-esteem:

 

• Malocclusion

• Crooked teeth

• Discolored teeth

• Gapped teeth

• Decaying teeth
  
   

However, each of these issues can be corrected, and in certain instances even prevented, with proper and timely dental care.  

 

2. Preventative Care 

As children's bodies grow, their mouths can undergo enormous transitions in short intervals of time. Some of these changes are:

 

• Loss of teeth

• Growth of teeth

• Jaw structure

• Tongue position

• Swallowing patterns
  
   

Taking your child to the dentist for regular checkups throughout the year is the best course of action for preventative oral care. Children should see their doctor every six months, which includes that back-to-school visit sometime during the summer. Following this schedule, any developmental issues can be detected and treated in a manner that is a lot less intrusive.

 

A neglected mouth is also more likely to develop cavities and tooth decay. If these issues are left untreated, they can result in significant, not to mention costly, repairs. Our Pediatric Medical Group team of professionals will work to provide whatever help is needed so your child's smile can continue to grow larger and brighter.  

 

3. Nutrition Awareness

When our doctors examine the condition of a child's teeth, they can learn a lot about dietary trends and nutritional deficiencies. If the effect that some foods are having on the health of your child's teeth is cause for concern, a dental checkup provides the perfect opportunity to have this conversation.

 

Some of the most common foods children consume that may cause damage to their teeth include:

 

• Cereals with added sugar

• Potato chips

• Pizza

• Sodas

• Fruit juice

• Candy

• Ice

Of course, there is nothing wrong with your child enjoying the occasional treat. However, the hustle and bustle of the new school year sometimes leads to more convenient meals and fewer healthy meals. Excessive amounts of any of the foods listed above that go unchecked by proper dental care can produce issues inside the mouth that are otherwise preventable.

 

4. Bad Habit Correction

Although adults are prone to this as well, children have more of a natural tendency to put things inside their mouths that can unknowingly give rise to dental issues. A regular exam with the Pediatric Dental Group will provide an opportunity for our dentists to address any of these bad habits that your child has that may be causing oral damage.

 

Some of the more common examples to be aware of include:

 

• Thumb sucking

• Nail biting

• Ice chewing

• Pencil chewing

• Grinding and clenching

• Harsh brushing
  
   

If detected, we will provide you and your child with advice and a plan that will help to correct the behavior before it becomes a more significant concern.

 

Back-to-School Standard Exam

When you schedule a dentist appointment to get your child ready to go back to school, there are routine services that are a regular part of our standard cleaning practices. These are often preventative and performed to maintain your child's continued oral health.

 

A standard cleaning includes:
 

• Examination of the mouth

• Removal of tartar and plaque

• Gritty toothpaste cleaning

• Expert flossing

• Rinse

• Fluoride treatment
  
   

Depending on the interval of the visit, we may also take some X-rays to check for cavities and to determine if the adult teeth are properly developing.

 

Let Us Help Support Your Family's Health

As you get ready to send your child back to school, remember that oral care can be one of the greatest influencers of overall well-being. Let our team at the Pediatric Dental Group lend a hand in the development of your child's health, function and beauty.

 

By taking advantage of the summer months' scheduling flexibility and booking an appointment with us, your children will be ready to enter the new school year with a fresh smile that they will be proud to share with everybody.