It’s that time of year again! The kids are headed back to school. There’s so much to do to get ready! Are your kids’ smiles ready for the upcoming school year? Here’s why it’s important not to skip back-to-school dental appointments!

Dental Care Checklist

In all the busyness of getting ready to head back to school, it’s easy to rationalize skipping everyday things like dental care. But dental care matters, so it’s important to make it a priority!

That’s why we recommend making your back-to-school dental appointments as soon as possible. Dentists can get busy as everyone rushes to get their teeth checked and cleaned before the school year starts, so scheduling your appointment early will help you to make sure you can get appointments for everyone in the family instead of being tempted to delay a few more months.

Visiting the Dentist Regularly

You might wonder if back-to-school dental appointments are really necessary. Dentists recommend that healthy patients visit the dentist every 6 months for a routine exam and professional cleaning.

Even if you take amazing care of your teeth at home, it’s not uncommon for plaque to hide in difficult-to-reach areas between teeth or in the crevices of new molars. Visiting the dentist regularly can give your dentist the chance to spot trouble areas early before they develop into problems and help you avoid the cost and discomfort of cavities and gum disease.

Start the School Year Right

As you begin the school year, it can also be helpful to talk through your at-home dental care routine with your dentist. Dentists recommend flossing regularly and brushing after each meal and that might feel extra difficult to accomplish when you’re at school all day, but your dentist will be happy to offer tips!

We’ve found that floss picks can be helpful for flossing on the go and an electric toothbrush can be a good investment, especially if it has the capability to connect with a smartphone dental app. Dental apps are great because they can help you track your dental care habits and get real-time feedback — it’s like having a dental coach!

Visiting your dentist before school starts will give you the opportunity to ask about tips or tools that can make your dental care routine feel less like homework and more like something fun you look forward to each day!

Call our Morrilton Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.