Your Child’s Back-To-School Checklist – 3 Things You Should Never Forget …

As summer winds to an official close and the kids head back to school, you are no doubt busy scheduling physicals, buying school supplies, and securing this year’s must-have wardrobe essentials for your little ones. While you are at it, don’t forget to include these important healthy teeth to-dos on your list:

Regular Dental Checkups
While it’s common to visit the pediatrician at this time of year, dental checkups often get pushed to the back burner. However, since tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), scheduling twice annual preventive checkups for your kids can help to avoid issues that can lead to missed school days later on.

Make it Part of the Routine
As you are establishing a new fall schedule, be sure to include time for daily brushing and flossing. While brushing in the morning and again at night are ideal, providing your child with a travel toothbrush and toothpaste can facilitate mid-day brushing after lunch or snacks. And be sure to make the at-home sessions a family affair so you can supervise and assist brushing and flossing techniques for younger children.

Additionally, take advantage of back-to-school shopping as a convenient time to stock up on toothbrushes. Start the new school year with a fresh brush and then swap it out for a new one when each report card arrives!

Healthy Bites
Good nutrition is of the utmost importance for your kids’ overall optimal health. By packing them healthy, well-balanced lunches and snacks every day, you can ensure they are getting the energy and nutrients they need to stay active and, and also making good choice for their teeth!  Stick with whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, and lots of fresh fruits and veggies, such as turkey sandwiches on whole grain bread with lettuce and tomato, low-fat plain yogurt with fresh berries mixed in, and fresh carrot and cucumber sticks.

And to prevent after school visits to the vending machine, which are home to the worst foods for their teeth, including chewy candy and surgery sodas, provide them with extra snack, such as low-fat string cheese and whole wheat crackers, or apple slices with peanut butter.

Learn more about protecting your children's teeth or call us today call us at (908) 998-4698 to schedule an appointment!