TL; DR: Before the school year begins, help your child build healthy oral care habits by scheduling a dental visit, refreshing their brushing routine, packing smile-friendly snacks, and checking in on any dental concerns.
This back-to-school oral health checklist for parents will help them prepare their child’s smile for a healthy and confident school year across the Richmond area and beyond. Before the first bell rings, take a few minutes to check in on your child’s oral health before their first day of school. With a little preparation, they can maintain their smile all year long.
Book a Dental Checkup
The easiest way to get a head start on the year is to make a dental checkup. Regular check-ups and cleanings ensure that cavities are detected early, provide an opportunity to track the child’s teeth development, and help maintain a healthy smile once school starts. If your child hasn’t been to their dentist in over six months, then it is a great time to get a visit to Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Virginia.
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Brush Up on the Basics
With the freedom your child gets when summertime rolls around, it’s easy to have the simple daily habits slip. Teeth brushing is a simple task that tends to be forgotten in the summertime with children. Before school starts, refresh up on The Back-to-School-Oral Health Checklist for Parents and help your child get back in a brushing routine by:
- Having them brush their teeth in the morning and at night
- Flossing once a day
- Replacing old, used toothbrushes
- Restocking with kid-friendly toothpaste and dental supplies
Need a refresher on proper brushing techniques? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) offers helpful guidance for parents.
Getting a headstart on these habits will help it become second nature by the time school comes around.
Pick Healthy Snacks
An underrated component within The Back-to-School Oral Health Checklist for Parents, is the food your child eats at school and after school. Send them to school with snacks that can protect their smile like:
- Cheese
- Apples
- Carrots
- Yogurt
- Water
Having a limitation on the number of sugary drinks and candy your child consumes during the school year not only helps reduce the risk of cavities but also promotes good gum health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends limiting added sugars to help prevent tooth decay.
Watch for Warning Signs
Before the school year gets into a full swing, check with your child to see how their teeth are feeling. If your child has any symptoms of swollen gums, tooth aches, sensitivity, or difficulty chewing, action needs to be taken immediately. You can avoid unexpected trips to the dentist later in the semester by solving the issues beforehand.
If you’re unsure whether your child should be seen, our team is always happy to help.
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Consider an Orthodontic Evaluation
Most children are able to get their first orthodontic evaluation around age 7. An early evaluation can help your orthodontist track your child’s teeth growth and alignment. Doing this can be helpful to detect iforthodontic treatment is needed immediately or if it will be necessary later on.
The Full Back-To-School Oral Checklist for Parents
Before the first day of school, make sure you’ve:
- Have a dental cleaning and exam scheduled
- Replace old toothbrushes
- Restock toothpaste and floss
- Refresh the tooth brushing routine
- Pack tooth-friendly snacks
- Check for any dental issues
Back-To- School Starts with Healthy Habits
A healthy smile can make a child feel confident and comfortable. Following the back-to-school oral health checklist for parents, you can prevent dental issues and set your child up for a great year with an even better smile.
At Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontists of Virginia, we’re happy to serve the families throughout the Richmond area. No matter if your child needs a routine visit or orthodontic evaluation, our team is here to help every smile start this coming school year with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How far in advance should my child see the dentist before school starts?
A: You should schedule your child’s back-to-school dental checkup 2 to 4 weeks before the school year begins. This leaves plenty of time to address any unexpected cavities, monitor tooth development, or fit appliances without disrupting their first weeks of class.
Q: How can I make sure my child is brushing their teeth effectively on their own?
A: To ensure effective independent brushing, pediatric dentists recommend parent-supervised brushing. Let your child brush first to build healthy habits and autonomy, and then follow up as the parent to thoroughly clean missed spots – particularly on the back molars. Parents should actively assist or supervise brushing until children develop the fine motor skills to do it effectively on their own, usually around age 7 or 8.
Q: Is there a specific toothpaste or mouthwash my child should use before school starts?
A: Yes, children should use an American Dental Association (ADA)-accepted fluoride toothpaste appropriate for their age (a smear-sized amount for under age 3, and a pea-sized amount for ages 3 to 6) to strengthen enamel against cavities. Mouthwash is generally unnecessary for young children unless specifically recommended by your pediatric dentist for extra cavity protection.