This time of year brings such anticipation to meet new teachers and classmates, buy school supplies, and have exciting experiences. Whether you are or have a child who is a student or not, you’re supposed to get evaluated twice a year by your dentist, which can feel like a school test. How can you ace your next dental exam? You can follow these common back-to-school tips to get your oral health in order!
Scheduling a Dental Checkup Appointment Regularly
Just as you wouldn’t go to school without the supplies you need to succeed, you shouldn’t head back to school (or another important event) without having completed a dental checkup. Especially if you haven’t seen your dentist within the last six months, you’re due for a visit that can help you catch any existing oral issues, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and more, and actively prevent future problems with professional cleaning. Keep in mind that once school starts, your schedule fills up fast, making this appointment harder to squeeze in, so you may need to plan ahead for school and other life events and obligations.
Creating a Smooth, Healthy Routine
After sleeping in or having lazy days for a while in summer, you and/or your child may feel reluctant to wake up early again. Over a week, you can start the habit of waking up a little sooner each day. Make sure you and/or your student have plenty of time to brush teeth and have a fresh, clean smile in the morning as well as brush and floss at night. When you rush before school or bed, dental hygiene can fall by the wayside and allow bacteria to form cavities.
Enjoying Healthy Lunches and Drinks
The foods you choose greatly affect not only your heart, energy, muscles, and body functions but also your oral health. Starchy, sugary substances encourage bacterial growth, increasing your risk of inflammation and infection. Meanwhile, there are tons of foods that can help you maintain a clean, strong smile going into a new school year or into a dental exam.
Compared to other beverages, nothing beats water. This sugar-free liquid keeps you and your mouth hydrated and the acidic level safe. Avoid packing juice or other such drinks and stick to water as much as possible!
Preventing Dental Injury with a Mouthguard
Are sports or exercise a huge part of your school experience or life in general? Unfortunately, injuries to the mouth can occur even in non-contact sports and activities, but a tiny oral appliance can prevent most of the damage. A mouthguard, particularly a custom one from your dentist, should fit comfortably and absorb a blow to the face, preserving your teeth for much longer than going without one.
Although most dentists won’t hand out a letter grade after their exam, if you follow these back-to-school tips, you can receive praise from them about your clean, healthy teeth and gums as well as your efforts to keep them in excellent condition.
About the Author
At Boyles General Dentistry & Dental Implants, Dr. Stephen Boyles has served patients with problems as simple as normal dental checkups all the way up to as complex as complete dental implant replacement. He is a Fellow with the Academy of General Dentistry and is a member of the International College of Oral Implantologists. To reach a team member and book an appointment, call 432-685-7011 or visit our Contact Us page here.