Summer has flown by! School is going to be back in session soon, which means that families are preparing school bags, notebooks, fresh pencils, and other supplies. As you are helping your children get ready for the new school year, it’s important to think outside the backpack. The start of a school year is a great reminder to book annual appointments such as dental exams, eye check-ups, immunizations, and more.
Supporting your child’s health ensures that they will feel great and thrive in the classroom environment. Spotting potential health issues in the early stages reduces the likelihood that your child will have to miss class after school starts. Back-to-school dental exams are so important that some states have passed laws that now require school-aged children to receive dental exams before the first day of school.
What to Expect at a Back-to-School Exam
Your child’s back-to-school dental exam is like any other routine dental screening, including a visual checkup, x-rays, oral cleaning, and more. Depending on the needs of each child, we also offer services such as dental fillings, gum disease treatment, tooth extraction, dental sealants, and more.
Every child receives personalized care in our office. We watch for abnormalities with your child’s bones, gums, and teeth. Not only is the goal to minimize the damage of common dental diseases, but we also want to help your child feel self-assured. A healthy, beautiful smile plays a role in the child’s self-esteem and confidence among their peers.
Childhood Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is a common issue in the childhood years, with approximately 40% of school-age children needing treatment for these problems. If tooth decay is discovered during the dental exam, we will provide recommendations for early treatment, helping to avoid the risk of invasive dental treatments that might be required in the future.
Even if the tooth decay is in the baby teeth, it is still important to seek dental treatment as soon as possible. Problems with the baby teeth could affect the permanent teeth that are growing in below, causing long-term damage that will affect the child’s smile and oral health as they grow.
Education about Dental Health
Math and reading are taught at the school, but your child will receive a different type of education when visiting our dental office. We take the time to teach kids the proper way to brush and floss their teeth. Learning good dental care habits in childhood sets the child up for a lifetime of healthy teeth.
When scheduling the dental appointment, consider the optimal time of day for your child to visit our office. For example, don’t schedule the appointment when your little one is overly tired or should be napping. Many parents find that the child’s behavior in the dental chair is better when the appointment is in the morning, instead of at the end of a long, tiring day.
Our office environment is comfortable and clean; we offer a range of dental skills for pediatric and adult dental services. You can relax knowing that your child is in good hands when you visit one of our locations. For more information about scheduling a back-to-school dental exam, contact us at myDental.