Heading back to school is a time of refresh and reset. We plan to get up earlier, eat healthier, set aside time for homework and chores. We make incentive charts and buy the back-to-school supplies. We pick out cute outfits and buy a new book bag to psych our children (and sometimes ourselves) to mentally prepare for the rush that hits each August. We promise ourselves we will do better, try harder, be on time and give this new school year our best!
When making your back-to-school check list, don’t fail to add a visit to Park Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to your schedule. Regular dental visits are important year-round, but a back-to-school checkup is key in fighting the most common chronic disease found in school-age children: cavities. In fact, dental disease causes children to miss more than 51 million school hours each year. Prevention and early detection can help avoid pain, trouble eating, difficulty speaking and school absences.
Make brushing your teeth just as important as homework or soccer practice. Good mental health, physical health and dental health are all important life skills to schedule into each day. Children thrive on routine and teaching kids to take care of their own body is one of a parent’s most important jobs. Set your child up for success by encouraging these age-appropriate dental habits early and often. Teach kids to brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day.
Ages 6 and Under
At this age, your child might want to do all the brushing by themselves, but they don’t have the fine motor skills needed to do a thorough job. Let them start and jump in when needed. During this age, the mouth is changing so much that children who are 5 or 6 are often brushing their teeth in the way they were when they were 2 or 3. They’re not accommodating the new molars, and they’re not accommodating the fact that the mouth is growing. Provide tangible rewards until good habits are developed. Consider a family reward if a cavity free checkup is achieved.
Ages 7-12
By now, your child knows what to do, they just might not want to do it. Keep encouraging healthy brushing and flossing habits. Know sometimes you must encourage even more at this age. By the time they’re teenagers, they’re starting to understand self-care, accountability for their actions and so on. “A clean mouth makes a friend; a smelly mouth makes you lonely.”
Ages 12-18
This is a critical time for dental health. Research shows cavities tend to appear in young kids. However, the teenage years and early adulthood are also time to teach good food choices and more personal hygiene responsibilities. Teenagers may have gone for many years and never had a cavity. Teens stop taking as much care of their teeth because they have never had to have a filling. Teens often think “out of sight, out of mind.” The behaviors of teenagers translate into the behaviors of adults. We want to be able to support teens and be respectful of them because they’re not little kids anymore. But teens need just as much time and attention as toddlers to make healthy decisions and habits. This age group is also when we start making decisions about braces and wisdom teeth. Other dental topics that need to be visited and re-visited often are the affects of smoking, mouth jewelry, drug use and eating disorders on the teeth and mouth. If your teen is experiencing any of these issues, get them to a dentist quickly and often.
What will your back-to-school dental visit look like? The dentist will be looking at the big picture of your child’s mouth, including teeth and gums. We will check to make sure teeth are lining up correctly, your child’s bite is in good shape, and to keep an eye out for any [orthodontic] issues that may show up later. A professional cleaning will be done to remove bacteria and keep gum tissue healthy. X-Rays are done annually to see how the teeth are developing and make sure tooth roots are healthy.
Sealants can be another way to keep your child from getting cavities, but they’re no substitute for brushing and flossing. A sealant is a thin, protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that your dentist can place on the chewing surfaces of your child’s permanent back teeth (called molars.)
Once they’re on, sealants work to keep cavity-causing bacteria and bits of food from settling into the nooks and crannies your child’s toothbrush can’t reach. This helps keep cavities from forming and tiny existing spots of decay from getting worse. Having sealants on your permanent molars reduces the risk of cavities by 80%. It’s best to get sealants as soon as your child’s permanent molars come through their gums (usually at age 6, then again at age 12.)
If your child plays sports, make sure you bring his or her mouthguard along so your dentist can check for wear, tear and fit. A growth spurt, new teeth or lost teeth could require a new or adjusted mouth guard.
Dr. Ana Scopu, DDS, MSc
In 2014, Dr. Ana Scopu DDS, MSc was one of fewer than 20 general dentists in the United States to have completed a Master’s degree in Specialized Orthodontics at the prestigious International Medical College at Munster University in Germany. This illustrious master’s program is recognized in 29 European countries and is a collaboration between six universities across Europe and Asia — all of which are listed, signed and stamped by the dean of each university on her academic Certificate of Achievement. Dr. Scopu radiates when recalling, “It was amazing and exciting to collaborate with doctors from all around the world, learning new techniques and treating patients in Europe.” The master’s program consisted of over 1,500 study hours and completion of a master’s thesis prior to graduation. Dr. Scopu’s paper was specifically on orthodontic treatment in conjunction with skeletal anchorage in the treatment of Maxillary Vertical Excess as an alternative to bimaxillary orthognathic surgery.
We are conveniently located in Naples, Florida, and offer high quality dental care for those who demand the very best for themselves and their loved ones. Call us today!
Park Family & Cosmetic Dental
239-330-4208
690 Goodlette-Frank Rd. N
myparkdental.com