(Newswire.net — August 5th, 2013) Baton Rouge, LA — With the summer coming to an end, and the hustle-and-bustle of the back-to-school season starting, its very easy for parents and kids to forget to continue their healthy dental habits.
“As our children go back to school, its more important than ever for parents to maintain healthy teeth habits, regardless of how busy your family’s lives become”, notes Dr. Candice Sullivan of Sullivan Dental Center. “We wanted to provide our local community with a few, simple-to-understand tips, that make the entire process that much easier and faster for our parents.”
Dr. Sullivan offers the following tips for back-to-school:
1. Emphasize good hygiene habits – Begin brushing and flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they appear, and when they become old enough, allow them to do it by themselves. This simple act can help to significantly remove bacteria from the mouth and prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
2. Offer kid-friendly dental supplies – Involve your children in the process by letting them choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. Ensure that it has soft bristles and is the correct size for their age, and experiment with toothpaste flavors as well. Many children are put off by the strong mint flavors that adults often use, so try several different flavors of toothpaste to find their favorite. The more they like the flavor, the more likely they are to want to brush their teeth.
3. Pack healthy lunches and snacks – By including healthy lunch items and snacks in your child’s sack lunch, you can help manage the sugary and acidic foods your child eats. If your child eats in the school cafeteria, review healthy, balanced food choices with him before the first day of school to help reinforce healthy habits.
4. Secure a properly fitting mouth guard (if applicable) – For many children, a new school year also marks the start of sports leagues and other physical activities, such as PE class. To keep teeth protected and prevent a painful injury, a well-fitting mouth guard is a great option.
5. Schedule bi-annual checkups with your family dentist – While home dental care is extremely important to your child’s health, it still is necessary to schedule time to see your child’s local family dentist. A dentist will thoroughly clean and examine your child’s teeth and address any potential issues like cavities or gum disease. Catching and treating these problems early will prevent them from escalating in the future.
One of the best ways to ensure your child’s long term health is to find a good family dentist in your local area, who can conduct a complete dental evaluation and answer any questions that you might have, before you have any issues.
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Contact Person:
Dr. Candice Sullivan
Sullivan Dental Center
“Your St Francisville Family Dentist”
5436 Commerce Street
St. Francisville, LA 70775
Phone: 225-224-8444
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