PLAN A DENTAL CLEANING FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR

August 6, 2020

If you haven’t already done so, you’ll probably be gathering supplies for school in the days ahead. While you are getting paper and pens, notebooks and art supplies, backpacks and new outfits, we recommend you schedule a dental exam at our office.

It may not seem like it at first, but a healthy smile can make a difference in how your child performs in the classroom. We aren’t saying nice teeth will guarantee good grades, but poor oral health can distract a child who should be focused on that day’s lesson or completing a task.

By bringing your family to River Oaks Dental for a back-to-school checkup, you can avoid those distractions and give your children a better opportunity for success in the classroom. Call 904-348-0416 to plan your visit to our Jacksonville, FL family dentist office.

PROTECT YOUR FAVORITE SMILES

Children’s dentistry is an integral part of what we do every day. From the time your youngsters get their first teeth, we want to help you encourage healthy habits to maintain their smiles.

This starts at home with a consistent daily routine. We suggest following the American Dental Association’s recommendations. That means brushing and flossing daily.

To be more specific, it means brushing twice daily for two minutes each time. Using toothpaste with fluoride and a soft-bristled toothbrush, clean your teeth on all sides. Then, once per day, use dental floss or a water flosser to remove bacteria, plaque, and food particles from between your teeth and gums.

The ADA also recommends regular professional dental cleanings and exams. None of us brush and floss exactly like we should every time. A professional checkup gives our team a chance to remove plaque and tartar buildup. At the same time, we can find cavities and gum infections as well. And we would much rather find these problems today than for you to get a call from your kid’s school reporting that they have been complaining of a toothache.

To take things a step further (a little “extra credit”), you can get fluoride treatments and dental sealants for your family. Fluoride is a mineral that makes teeth stronger. Dental sealants coat teeth to create a barrier between them and cavity-causing bacteria. Either or both will reduce your family’s risk of tooth decay.

EDUCATION & ORAL HEALTH

The Children’s Dental Health Project has put together a page of information related to the effects of oral health on education. Here are a few highlights:
• In a national survey, 14 percent of children 6 to 12 years old reported having a toothache in the previous six months.

• Another study found that children with poor oral health were three times more likely to miss school than other students. (The ADA has also pointed out that children in the U.S. miss 51 million hours of school every year because of oral health issues.)
• A study of teens found that those who have oral health problems are four times more likely to have lower grades compared to their peers.

SMILES FOR SUCCESS

We won’t promise that a dental cleaning will turn your child into the next valedictorian. However, we have seen that poor oral health can be an obstacle to success in school. Don’t let that become an issue for your kids.

Instead, plan a visit to River Oaks Dental soon. Call 904-348-0416 or contact us online to request an appointment.