We can’t believe we are already halfway through the summer! As we quickly approach the new school year, Solstice Smiles Dental wanted to ensure you are prepared for the academic year ahead. In addition to the back-to-school shopping and excitement over which teacher your child will have, one essential aspect of school-readiness is your child’s dental check-up.
A pre-school dental check up is more than just a nice-to-have, in the DC School District, it’s actually a requirement. We are booking up fast over the summer, so Dr. Fitzpatrick wanted to encourage you to book your appointment now to ensure your child is seen at our Petworth dental office before school starts on 28th August. At the appointment, Dr. Fitz will perform a dental exam and teeth cleaning, in addition to filling out the required paperwork needed to return to school.
4 Reasons Why a Dental Visit is Important
Dental Health Assessment: At the appointment, Dr. Fitz will examine your child's teeth and gums to check for any dental problems such as cavities, plaque buildup, or signs of developing orthodontic concerns. Early detection can prevent more severe problems down the road.
Better Focus: Dental pain or discomfort can be distracting for children and may reduce their focus on their studies. It also means that during the school year, your child won’t have to be pulled out of school for appointments and miss valuable teaching time.
Establish Good Long-Term Oral Hygiene Habits: While kids don’t always listen to their parents, they do tend to listen to us! Dr. Fitz likes to explain and educate children about oral hygiene practices and the importance of proper brushing and flossing. This should provide great value to them in creating a strong foundation for great long-term dental health.
Reduce Dental Anxiety: If children visit the dentist regularly, they have less anxiety later in life about the dentist as they are sure to have a positive experience at Solstice Smiles Dental with our kind, gentle, and caring team.
Tips for Kids: Keeping Healthy Teeth in Between Visits to Your Petworth Dentist
Brush and Floss Twice a Day: Encourage your child to brush their teeth for two minutes, twice a day. You can make brushing more fun by using a timer, playing their favorite song, or brushing your teeth with them.
Have a Balanced Diet: Summer is full of sugary treats like ice cream and popsicles, but it’s important to limit sugary snacks and drinks and replace them with fruit alternatives and veggie snacks to reduce the likelihood of them developing painful cavities.
Stay Hydrated: Buy your child a water bottle they love as it will encourage them to drink more throughout the day. This will help clean their mouths after meals and neutralize the acids in their mouth.
Protect Their Teeth: If your child participates in contact sports or activities like skateboarding, it’s important that they wear a mouthguard that can protect their teeth from injuries. You can find one at your local DC drugstore, or Dr. Fitz can create a custom mouthguard that will be so comfy they will want to wear it.
Thank you for taking the time to prioritize your child’s oral health as it’s extremely important for their overall health. We advise you to book an appointment as soon as possible before we fill up. We look forward to seeing you and your child soon.