Is your child ready to go back to school? There’s a lot to take care of during the last few days of summer. Obviously, you’ll need to go shopping for new clothes, books and supplies, but it’s also important to make sure your little one is in good health before classes start taking up much of their time. For this reason, your back-to-school list isn’t complete until you check off “visit the dentist.”
Why Your Child Needs to See the Dentist
Your child’s smile is meant to last a lifetime, but this is completely dependent on the care their teeth receive. The sugars and starches in many foods can cause oral bacteria to start secreting acid that eats through enamel and forms cavities. Eventually, bacteria can reach the tooth’s pulp and cause an infection, which will result in a lot of pain and further health complications if it’s not treated.
In many cases, teaching your child to brush and floss everyday will help them avoid tooth decay, but unfortunately, this isn’t always enough. The mouth has a lot of spaces that are hard to reach, and this is especially true for younger children that aren’t fully coordinated yet. Worse yet, plaque that isn’t cleaned in time hardens into tartar that can’t be removed at home.
It’s best to bring your child to the family dentist in Oklahoma City at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Even if there isn’t a problem that’s causing them pain right now, cavities and other health problems can go undetected. A thorough examination will detect these issues in their early stages when treatment is easier.
Seeing the Dentist Before School Starts
Once school starts again, things will get a lot busier for everyone. It’ll be harder to find time for dental visits when you have to worry about your child missing class or needing to make up their homework. It’s much more convenient to have the appointment done during the summer when there’s still plenty of free time during the day. Furthermore, children tend to be in a better mood overall when they’re still free from the stresses of school, which can help make medical appointments much more pleasant.
If your child indulged in a lot of candy, soda and other sugary treats during their vacation, a dental checkup becomes especially important. Any decay should be found and treated as soon as possible; otherwise you might need to worry about scheduling more extensive procedures such as a root canal or a tooth extraction, both of which require a few days to recover.
The school year will begin before you know it. If you want to take advantage of the break to make sure your child’s pearly whites are well-protected, now is your last chance!
About the Author
Dr. Bradley Mitchell loves being a dentist because he’s had the ability to make friends and improve the health and well-being of families in the community. He offers fluoride supplements and dental sealants to give young children added protection against cavities. To schedule an appointment at his practice, Mitchell Smile Design, visit his website or call (405) 755-2670.
