The first day of school is nearly a month away. It may be hard to believe that the end of summer break is quickly approaching.
That also makes this a good time to schedule a dental cleaning for your children. We believe preventive care is important for your family and all the families in and around Modesto, CA.
While you are out getting back-to-school clothes, notebooks, pens, and other supplies, please plan to stop by Sierra Dental Care.
Pediatric dentistry is a big part of what we do. Call (209) 575-2400 or contact us online if you would like to set up an appointment.
Oral Health And School
Your child’s oral health can be a factor in his or her success in school. The American Dental Association reports that kids miss 51 million hours of school each year due to dental diseases.
And the Children’s Dental Health Project has shared on this in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of oral health for all kids. The project noted that a study in Los Angeles found that dental problems were a factor in roughly one-third of missed school days. Meanwhile, a separate study in North Carolina determined that kids with poor oral health were three times more likely to miss school than kids with healthy mouths.
On a national level, a recent survey found that 1 out of every 7 children between the ages of 6 and 12 had a toothache in the prior six months.
We know that you don’t want your kids to have tooth decay, cavities, or other more serious oral health issues. We also feel pretty confident that you would rather not get a phone call from your child’s school saying your son or daughter has been complaining of a toothache.
If you don’t think that matters, that same study in Los Angeles found that kids with oral health issues were four times more likely to have lower than average grades.
Benefits Of Back-To-School Dental Cleanings
We hope you and your family will visit us at Sierra Dental Care a couple times each year.
Routine dental visits give us an opportunity to remove plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to tooth decay. This also gives us a better chance of finding problems in the early stages when they are easier to treat.
The ADA also has a few tips to help make your back-to-school checkups (and future visits) a little easier.
Don’t schedule a dental appointment during or right after a child’s nap time. If your kid is used to sleeping at a certain time each day, then schedule the dental visit for a different time.
Don’t schedule a dental cleaning after a long day of activity for your child. This is particularly important for older kids who may need more extensive care (such as orthodontics). If your son or daughter has had a long day already, he or she may not be able to get through a dental exam.
Don’t bring a hungry child to the dentist. We understand why it might be tempting to plan to eat after your trip to the dentist, but a hungry child can be grouchy. If you do eat before your visit, please have your child brush his or her teeth before your arrive. This is something his or her hygienist will appreciate.
And if you have to schedule back-to-back appointments, it can be helpful to let a child who has had good dental experiences go first. This can help your other children see that visiting the dentist isn’t that bad — it can even be fun!
Focus On Preventive Care
The best way to deal with tooth decay and cavities is to prevent them.
To do this, you need to model and encourage good dental habits at home. This means brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. This means flossing or using another interdental cleaner to clean between your teeth and gums once per day.
And this means visiting Sierra Dental Care a couple times each year. To request your next appointment, call (209) 575-2400 or contact us online.
While you are here, find out how fluoride treatments and dental sealants can reduce the risk that your children will develop cavities.
