Health & Fitness
Don't Forget That Back-to-School Dental Exam!
When scheduling that back-to-school trip to the family doctor or pediatrician, don't overlook the body part right under your nose-the mouth.
With August and the start of the new school year just around the corner, this is the time to be sure your child gets their dental visit and oral exam as well as those end of summer physicals with the family doctor.
According tothe Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS), dental decay is the single most prevalent childhood disease and accounts for approximately 51 million school hours lost (nationwide) each year. Just as the physical exam can help address any issues with the body, the dental exam may help your child from missing valuable school days later in the year. A dentist will examine your child’s teeth and mouth for signs of decay or other issues and ensure that your child’s mouth is developing properly. A child can’t learn or concentrate in school when they have a toothache.
Adopting good oral hygiene habits, limiting intake of sugary drinks and snacks and brushing and flossing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, can help prevent
dental disease in children and adults, too! Try to avoid packing school lunches
with snack items like candy, sugared gum, sticky granola bars, and even
raisins, which can cling to teeth and lead to decay.
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The MDS encourages parents to include dental office visits as part of their child’s
back-to-school routine, whether they are heading to first grade, or for their final year of college. That way, when those class photos are taken this fall, your child will have something to smile about and so will you!