It is that time of year again! Many of the families in our Elmhurst family dentist office are readjusting to the day to day life of the school year.
As you get back into the swing of things, here are some simple oral health considerations to keep in mind:
1. What’s your school’s water policy?
As you probably already know, drinking plenty of water is very important for maintaining a healthy smile. Water helps to dislodge dental debris and plaque from those hard-to-reach spots along your smile. Plus, when you drink water you allow your body to produce plenty of saliva; saliva naturally neutralizes oral bacteria and re-mineralizes dental enamel. Check to see if your child is able to bring a water bottle during the day!
2. Smart dietary decisions
If you pack a snack or lunch for your child, try to provide them with smile-boosting options! Look for crunchy veggies like baby carrots or celery in order to keep plaque at bay. Foods with high water contents, and with plenty of vitamin C are likewise good choices.
3. Pack the essentials
Slip a little package of floss into your child’s bag for those inconvenient moments when food particles get stuck between his or her teeth. It is much safer and smile-healthy for your child to remove debris with floss rather than pointy toothpicks.
4. Re-inforce your routine
As you establish a getting ready for school routine, make sure that you are building in a full two minutes of brushing every morning. Remember, gentle yet sustained brushing is the most effective way for your child to buff away newly developed plaque.
If you have any additional questions, you can always contact our Elmhurst dentists. We are here to help you build healthy oral hygiene habits that will serve you well for years to come!