Now that we’re in August, for many kids school will be starting in the next few weeks. Which means now is the perfect time to schedule a visit for a checkup, so your child can start a new year of classes with better oral health and a shining smile! In today’s blog, your North Hollywood, CA, dentist talks about back-to-school checkups!

Your Child’s Checkup and Cleaning

A checkup involves our team carefully examining your child’s smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, so we can identify any concerns in the earliest stages, such as tooth decay. We then create a treatment plan to address them and protect your child’s smile from tooth decay and infection. We also clean the teeth in the same sitting, so we can remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup to protect smiles from cavities, gingivitis, teeth stains, and even bad breath. We recommend one every six months for kids starting at around age two, and one right before school starts means we can tackle any issues before their schedules become more hectic!

Cavity Prevention

Our team can also offer treatments to lower the risk of tooth decay. For example, we can apply a fluoride varnish to the teeth during the exam, which helps strengthen the outer enamel and lower the risk of tooth decay, keeping smiles strong. Since kids have trouble reaching the rear teeth, these can be more prone to cavities. But with dental sealants, we apply an acrylic coating to the molars that prevents food and drink particles from being trapped between the teeth, lowering the risk of tooth decay. These stay in place for up to ten years! With both options, application takes seconds and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about 30 minutes as the area cures.

Better Oral Hygiene Habits

We will also discuss better homecare habits for kids during the school year. For example, make sure your kids brush for two minutes in the morning and again in the evening, using a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen the enamel and fight tooth decay. Flossing before going to be is essential too, as this removes what a toothbrush alone cannot reach. Offer your children healthy snack options, cutting back on the sugar in their diet. Finally, be sure you continue to bring your children in for checkups and cleanings every six months. If you have any questions, then contact our team today.

Schedule a Visit for Your Child’s Back-to-School Checkup

We would like to help your child enjoy better oral health before classes begin. To schedule a visit for your child’s dental exam and cleaning, give us a call at Modern Smiles in North Hollywood, CA at (818)763-9353.