It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Parents around the country are cheering for the return of schedules and routines, so we want to gently remind parents (and kids!) of a few things that may have slipped through the cracks during all the summertime excitement!

No, It’s Not Christmas Time—It’s Back-to-School Time!

It’s that time of year again, when popsicle lunches and ice cream snacks (we’re not judging, here!) are being swapped for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and lunch lady sloppy joes!

We want to make sure that kids are getting back on track with a regular brushing and flossing routine, as well!

A regular oral health routine is important because after we eat, food collects in our teeth and gums, and if we wait until bedtime to brush, food sits on our teeth for a prolonged amount of  time; the longer the food sits on our teeth, the more time it has to create those cavities!

More cavities equal more trips to the dentist, and who has time for that?! So try to implement a good dental routine that teaches kids a healthy practice of brushing their teeth directly after eating meals, rather than waiting until right before bed—and if possible, have them rinse out their mouths after eating lunch when they’re at school! This will help break up any food particles that might be stuck in their teeth. Anything to help get the food off the teeth and prevent future cavities!

Good Night! Sleep Tight! Don’t Let the Cavity Bugs Bite!

We understand the struggle that goes with a bedtime routine and brushing teeth! Why can’t it just be easy? Keep in mind that children will require the help of an adult to properly brush and floss their teeth!

Parents need to help their kids brush until the age of seven or eight.

Flossing requires help until they are eleven or twelve.

Surprising, I know!

Flossing can be very difficult, as little fingers (and big ones!) have to get into all those hard-to-reach places! Parental help will ensure a good oral health routine is being taught early on!

Here is a great diagram on the proper flossing technique, which we like to call the “C” technique: make a “C” shape with the floss as you wrap it around the tooth.

For more information on the importance of flossing, check out a post we made a few months back!

~ Dr. Rhea Haugseth