Making the Grade: Back-to-School Tooth Tips

Here in Anderson County, kids head back to school pretty early – usually in the first few weeks of August! Since many of the staff at Guffee Dental are parents, we know just how chaotic the start of a new school year can be. Luckily, by this time of year, things start to settle down as students and families settle into familiar routines. Now that some of the craziness has abated (at least for the first semester!), it’s the perfect time to schedule a dental checkup at Guffee Dental.

In the meantime, here are some A+ tooth tips to help kids and parents alike keep their smiles healthy! Read on to learn about the best back-to-school dental health recommendations.

Brush – and floss – daily.

You know it, and your kids know it: brushing your teeth twice a day is critical for good oral health! Brush in the mornings before school and in the evenings before bed to ensure you get bacteria and food residue out of those chompers. Flossing daily is also a key part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy, as well as reducing bad breath. Help the whole family get into a daily dental routine, both morning and night, to ensure bright smiles all around.

Protect kids’ smiles during sports.

Everyone loves an extracurricular, and school or club sports are a great way to keep kids active and healthy. But sometimes, especially with high-contact sports, kids are at risk of injury: not just to their bodies but to their teeth as well. Luckily, mouth guards are required in most sports now, and helmets can also help protect smiles. At Guffee Dental, we can custom create mouth guards tailored to your child’s unique smile, offering better protection against both direct contact and physical trauma. Of course, if your child suffers a mouth or head injury while playing their sport, contact an emergency doctor or dentist immediately.

Eat a varied and healthy diet.

Like playing sports or exercising in general, eating a balanced diet is important for your overall health. It can also help protect your teeth! Fruits, crunchy veggies, lean meats, and water provide essential nutrients to your body and to your teeth. Many bottled waters and even some tap waters contain fluoride, an essential mineral for keeping your enamel strong. Nutrient-rich foods and drinks are important for keeping teeth strong and your oral environment balanced.

Schedule regular dental appointments.

Now that you’ve got the back-to-school schedule worked out, it’s time to fit some dentist appointments in there! Between homework, jobs, extracurriculars, and some much-needed family time, it can be tough to squeeze in preventive care, especially if you don’t have any pressing health issues. Still, it’s important to keep your dental visits on a regular schedule! Contact Guffee Dental today to make your next appointment: we’re always happy to work with your schedule and find the perfect time for you – and your busy kiddos – to get a dental check-up.

From the whole team here at Guffee Dental in Anderson, SC, we hope you and your family have a wonderful school year, filled to the brim with happy, healthy, smiles!