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It’s that time of year when kids are going back to school. This means packing lunches, filling backpacks, and making sure they have everything they need to protect themselves during practice. But have you considered what you can do to prevent a dental emergency while they’re busy playing with friends, eating in the cafeteria, or sitting in the classroom? Read on to discover four ways you can help your child avoid a serious smile injury while at school.
1. Equip Your Child with a Custom Athletic Mouthguard.
If your child enjoys playing sports, make sure their teeth and gums are properly protected with a custom mouthguard. This cushioned appliance is made to fit comfortably inside their mouth, covering their top row of teeth. When a hit, tackle, or unexpected ball to the face occurs, the device absorbs the excessive pressure to prevent damage to one or more teeth. Instead of rushing them off to an emergency dental visit, they can spend more time playing their favorite game.
2. Instruct Your Child to Avoid Biting Down on Inanimate Objects.
While sitting in class, your child may be prone to biting or chewing on pens or pencils to pass the time. This can be an unconscious habit that may not be easy to break initially, but the remainder of how damaging it is to their teeth can lead them to quit. Tooth enamel is strong and durable, but it can sustain cracks and small fractures if your child is not careful. Instead of reaching for a writing utensil, have them keep sugar-free gum in their backpack to chew on.
3. Make Sure Their Lunch Consists of Healthy Foods.
Once your child is at school, you may be unable to keep them from swapping with a friend, but packing them a healthy lunch is a great way to minimize cavities and potential gum disease. A tasty salad with lean protein, as well as a string cheese or yogurt, and bottled water can be a great way to keep their teeth and gums healthy throughout the day. You might also try packing fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts as delicious snacks. Just keep the sugar and starch to a minimum so that a nagging toothache or serious infection does not occur.
4. Schedule Regular Dental Visits.
Throughout the school year, make sure you are maintaining your child’s six-month dental checkups and cleanings. These visits will give the dentist a chance to examine their growing smile and check for any signs of cavities, damage, gum disease, or bite misalignment. By finding these issues early on, the dentist can implement a proper plan to address the problem and restore your child’s oral health so that emergencies don’t result in missed classwork.
There may be a lot of things you cannot control once your kids are at school, but if you equip them with the right tools, foods, and perspective, they will be more likely to maintain a damage-free smile throughout the year.
About the Author
Dr. Sam Je is a skilled dentist in Lancaster who sees patients of all ages with unexpected dental injuries. Whether it is a knocked-out or cracked tooth that needs attention, a lacerated portion of gum tissue, or a lost restoration, he and the team at Lancaster Family Smiles offer same-day appointments and can see individuals in the evenings and on weekends. If you want to make sure your child is equipped to avoid a dental emergency while at school, visit our website or call (469) 729-7707.