In the Know for You to Know
A new school schedule, a new sports schedule, a new tooth schedule
What’s your new routine?
Re-energizing good oral health habits is easy when you add 2 Minutes 2X’s a day to your back to school routine. Brushing 2 Minutes 2X’s a day and flossing with Mommy or Daddy to watch, help, and set an example is always more fun. For more tips look at my post on Your nightly bedtime brushing routine.
Want your child to have the best and brightest smile
Mirror Mirror on the Wall Looking in the mirror to make sure you floss and brush away all the food and sugar that sticks to their teeth and tongue is a great way to reinforce healthy habits at home. With so many new brushing apps to choose from your 2 Minutes 2X’s a day routine can be a breeze. Checkout 2min2x.org for some helpful apps and videos.
With Sugar Less is More
With so many goodies at school keep an eye on snacking and drink choices, with sugar less is more. When preparing snacks and lunch to take to school from home it’s important to make food fun while encouraging your child to eat their vegetables, fruit, grains and protein. Remember to pack those water bottles. Water has Zero calories and Zero sugar. If your child must have juice pack one juice box every other day as a treat and encourage them to drink this only with their lunch. This way you can increase the days they drink water and decrease the days they drink juice so they don’t miss the juice. Same for any sugar sweetened beverages, fruit snacks and raisins, start them out as a treat and then quickly decrease how often they are in their snacks and lunches over the next two weeks. If your child is going to purchase school lunches or has access to vending machines at school talk with them about how to make healthy food choices.
Serious About Smiles
Is it time for a new tooth brush? The American Dental Association recommends your child’s tooth brush be changed every three months (and yours also). With routine brushing the bristles wear out so it is best to keep those pearly white teeth sparkling with a new brush. Your Pediatric Dentist will most likely include in a new brush in your take home goodie bag. For the times in between check-ups, remember a soft brush is best for your 2 Minutes 2X’s a day brushing routine.
This school year may mean a new fluoride prescription or change in your child’s fluoride dose. This is important to discuss at your child’s back to school check-up.
Back to school also means Dental Notes for your School Nurse. Remember, healthy teeth means fewer visits to the Nurse and less calls to you.
Play sports?
Protect their smile when participating in sports and physical activities. It’s important to talk about which type of mouth guard is best suited for your child’s sport.
FYI – stay tuned for my upcoming post on Sports and Mouth Injury Prevention.
Just like this school year may be a little different for your child and you, their back to school dental appointment will also have some changes. Read my post on Taking your child to their Pediatric Dentist in the World of COVID – It’s as Important as Ever, and see what your child’s dentist is doing to keep your family safe.
More tips? We have lot’s. We’re here just for kids!
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