Eight Great Back-to-School Dental Tips for Your Kids!

It’s August, and you know what that means. It’s back-to-school time for kids of all ages (and college students as well) here in the Kansas City area! We hope your kids’ summer break was epic and memorable. As they head back to school, your Kansas City family dentist wanted to provide a few back-to-school tips to help you and your kids keep your smiles healthy and bright as you’re juggling school schedules, after-school activities, and more!

1. Pack a Healthy Lunchbox

Dental health begins with good nutrition! Fortunately, plenty of tooth-friendly snacks are also great for your overall health and delicious to boot! Try apple slices, cheese sticks, baby carrots, or whole grain crackers in the kids’ lunchboxes and in your own!

2. Protect Smiles During Sports

Just about any sport carries with it at least a small risk of injury, and that includes injuries to your kids’ pearly whites. That’s why it’s so important to ask your family dentist about custom-fitted sports mouthguards that will help protect your kids’ teeth while they play.

3. Pack Some Travel-Sized Dental Care Products

Everyone knows you should brush and floss every day, but what do you do after meals or snacks when you’re on the go? You can help your child (and yourself) keep up healthy habits throughout the day by packing travel-sized toothbrushes, toothpaste, or pocket flossers. Is brushing not an option? Sugar-free gum with the ADA seal of approval might just be the next best thing!

4. Practice Healthy Hydration

Hydration is important all year round, but it’s especially vital during the hot summer months, and August is still pretty warm here in Kansas City. Encourage your kids to drink plenty of water and avoid sugary sports drinks and sodas. Set a good example for them by doing the same!

5. Choose Healthy After-School Snacks

Good nutrition doesn’t end when the school bell rings. Your kids are likely to come home hungry after a busy day at school. Fortunately, your Kansas City family dentist has assembled some kid-approved after-school snacks that are healthy for growing smiles!

6. Talk to Your Kids About the Dangers of Tobacco

As your kids get older, it’s important to talk to them about the risks associated with tobacco use, not just to their overall health, but to their oral health, as well. Explain that it can lead to problems such as stained teeth, bad breath, gum disease, and even oral cancer. It’s also important to know that cigarettes and chewing tobacco aren’t the only culprits. Vaping carries its own set of risks for your oral health.

7. Schedule Your Next Cleaning and Checkup

By coming to see your family dentist regularly, you not only keep your teeth looking their best, but you give us the opportunity to catch small problems before they get much bigger. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup before the school year gets ahead of you!

8. Ask About Orthodontic Needs

While you’re here, ask your dentist about any orthodontic treatments that your child may need. Early intervention is best, as it can make treatment easier and more effective. Thanks to advances such as Invisalign clear aligners, modern orthodontic treatments are easier, more convenient, and less invasive than ever before!

Here at Blacker Family Dental, there’s nothing we love more than watching all those happy smiles head back to school. Before you get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a new school year, come see us for a checkup and cleaning, cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign treatments, or whatever else you and your family may need! Call (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment today!