The time has rolled around again for the kids to return to their friends, classes, and sugary snacks at lunchtime. As you begin the process to prepare them for the first few weeks of school, we want to encourage you to add one more item to your back-to-school checklist, you guessed it, scheduling a dentist appointment.
The ADA recommends visiting the dentist at least twice per year for a cleaning and check-up and kids are no exception. Whether it’s their first day of kindergarten or their final year of high school a healthy oral care routine will ensure they are ready to take on whatever the new school year throws at them.
Why Is It Necessary?
Though your child’s teeth might appear visibly healthy, it is important to have a thorough cleaning, check tooth development, and apply tooth sealants. With the new school schedule and extracurricular activities disrupting their daily oral care routine and eating habits, they will need the additional protection that a back-to-school dental visit can provide.
There are other benefits that go beyond what an annual tooth cleaning can provide. By making a trip to the dentist a regular habit you enforce lifelong healthy habits and instill confidence in their smiles. You can also avoid school absences throughout the school year by addressing any oral issues early on. Cavities are the number one illness and contribute to the fifty-four million hours of school that are missed due to dental procedures and oral issues.
Book Your Appointment Early
It may be tempting to wait to get an appointment until the middle of the school year, but we can assure you that contacting us sooner than later is always best practice. As the days grow closer to the start and middle of the school year, appointment availability becomes more and more scarce. We suggest calling at the beginning of the semester (or even in the middle of summer break) to secure your appointment.
What To Expect
If you are booking an appointment for a younger child, we recommend letting them know prior to the day of, explaining to them the importance of going to the dentist, and possibly role-playing as dentist and patient so that they know what to expect when they go.
At the appointment, you can expect a thorough cleaning, an application of fluoride, and a sealant on the back molars. Additional appointments may be necessary if there are additional oral issues that need to be addressed.
Make Oral Care A Priority
We offer adult and children’s dentistry to fit the needs of the whole family. Take advantage of our flexible scheduling options to book a block appointment for everyone.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment at our convenient Lafayette or Boulder locations.