{"id":107,"date":"2024-07-02T15:58:55","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T15:58:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/?p=107"},"modified":"2025-11-03T14:20:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T14:20:50","slug":"prepping-small-smiles-3-tips-for-healthy-teeth-this-school-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/prepping-small-smiles-3-tips-for-healthy-teeth-this-school-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Prepping Small Smiles: 3 Tips for Healthy Teeth This School Year"},"content":{"rendered":"
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July has arrived, marking the midway point of summer break.  If you\u2019re like many other parents at this time, you\u2019re busy preparing for the upcoming school year. Whether you\u2019re shopping for supplies or registering your child for after-school activities, there\u2019s plenty to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you don\u2019t want to forget about your little one\u2019s dental condition in the back-to-school rush. Many schools require updated medical and dental records before beginning a new semester. Unfortunately, it\u2019s not uncommon for kids to struggle with taking care of their teeth and gums, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. To prevent problems<\/a>, keep reading to learn 3 tips that can help your child build and maintain a happy, healthy smile this year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Tip #1: Establish a Routine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not uncommon for children to avoid chores, and brushing and flossing their teeth often falls under this category in their minds. If your kid resists healthy habits, it might help to establish a consistent routine. They\u2019re less likely to resist when they become accustomed to participating in certain activities at the same time every day. Setting up a steady and predictable timeline for dental hygiene helps them understand the importance of cleaning their mouths every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #2: Let Them Choose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your child tries to avoid scrubbing their teeth and gums when instructed, it might help to give them a choice about how it\u2019s done. If they\u2019re resisting because they\u2019re frustrated by being told what to do, then why not give them a say in the matter? For example, you might have them pick out their own toothbrush. They come in a variety of sizes and colors and with various characters for young people to choose from. There are also different flavors of toothpaste, and choosing a flavor they think they\u2019ll enjoy might encourage them to clean their teeth more regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #3: Schedule Dental Visits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although cleaning their teeth at home is essential to prevent dental issues, it\u2019s also important to take your child for a routine checkup and cleaning every six months. This allows their provider to catch signs of potential problems and treat them before they can progress into anything worse. Consistent visits also teach your kid the basic skills they need to maintain positive oral hygiene on their own so that as they grow up, they can naturally take on that responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By making a few simple changes, you can help your child keep their smile looking and feeling great for the new school year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Linda Steele has nearly 30 years of experience helping guide the growth of still-developing smiles. She completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Baylor College of Dentistry and then underwent a pediatric residency at Children\u2019s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO. Now, she offers a wide array of services to meet all your child\u2019s unique oral health care needs. She combines a fun and educational environment with state-of-the-art equipment to keep your kid comfortable while providing top-quality services for accurate results. You can request an appointment on the website<\/a> or call (972) 640-7432.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

July has arrived, marking the midway point of summer break.  If you\u2019re like many other parents at this time, you\u2019re busy preparing for the upcoming school year. Whether you\u2019re shopping for supplies or registering your child for after-school activities, there\u2019s plenty to do. However, you don\u2019t want to forget about your little one\u2019s dental condition […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nBack-to-School Dental Health Coppell, TX | Linda A. 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