Back to School Oral Health Tips

Kids all over the country are a few weeks into the new school year and settling into their new classes. The morning rush before school remains as frantic as ever, with parents having to make sure their children are washed, fed and clothed, and the right books and PE kits are packed for school. There is one important routine that can sometimes be forgotten… Making sure their teeth are brushed.

To ensure that your children follow their oral health routine every day, before school and before bed, we recommend that you follow these tips:

Encourage regular brushing

It’s important to encourage your children to get used to brushing their teeth for two minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. We recommend that you watch your children brushing their teeth until both you and they are confident that they can be trusted to brush their teeth properly and for long enough.

Making brushing fun

To help your children get used to brushing their teeth twice a day, there are a number of different ways to make brushing fun, for example:

• Choose a colourful, or themed toothbrush.
• Use fluoride toothpaste that is a child-friendly flavour, such as fruit. Children are often fussy about the taste of toothpaste, so a child-friendly toothpaste can be a really useful way of encouraging them to brush their teeth.
• Use music – you could make a song about brushing teeth, or even play a short song and encourage your children to brush their teeth for the length of the song.

Choose healthy lunchbox fillers

It’s important to avoid sugary and salty snacks. Whilst crackers can seem a good alternative to crisps, and granola bars can seem a better option than chocolate bars, the simple starches in these snacks can be just as bad when it comes to tooth decay. More tooth-kind alternatives include nuts, carrot sticks, celery and cubes of cheese.

Take your children to regular dental check-ups

There is never a bad time to book a dental  exam. Your dentist will be able to spot any potential oral health problems and will provide essential advice for looking after children’s teeth. Oral health problems are a common cause for children missing school, so ensuring that they visit the dentist at least twice a year can help to improve their performance in school.

To book an appointment at our practice in South West London, please call today on 020 7091 0677 or book online. We are committed to providing comprehensive dental care, tailored to your needs.