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When to Schedule a Back-to-School Teeth Cleaning

Jul 04, 2023

When to Schedule a Back-to-School Teeth Cleaning

It may be July, but we know your mind is already on the start of a new school year. Soon, it’ll be time to get new backpacks, buy some new clothes, and check off items on the list of school supplies.

Our team at Lifetime Dental Care in Woodbridge, Virginia, recommends you add a visit to the dentist to your list of back-to-school rituals. 

Here’s everything you should know about your kid’s back-to-school teeth cleaning

Are back-to-school teeth cleanings really that important?

Yes, absolutely. Your family’s schedule can fill up quickly once class is back in session, so getting your children’s dental appointments out of the way is a great way to ensure they’re starting the year off with clean, healthy smiles. Here’s a closer look at a few other benefits. 

Prevention

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Few things are more true when it comes to your child’s oral health. When you’re diligent about bringing your child in for regular cleanings, we can identify the earliest warning signs of disease, decay, and damage in their tracks, allowing us to nip oral health problems in the bud and help your child avoid toothaches and other painful issues.

Peace of mind

With your child fresh from a dental check up, you can head into a busy new school year knowing your child has a clean bill of oral health. Bonus: Your kid strolls into school with a smile they can be proud of and one that’s easier to keep clean. 

Attendance

According to the National Children’s Oral Health Survey, around 8.6 million children between the ages of 6 and 12 have missed school because of an oral health issue. But that’s not all. The U.S. The Department of Health and Human Services found that over 51 million hours of school are missed each year because of dental problems. 

You can help keep your youngster focused on school and not on their teeth simply by bringing them in for a checkup. 

When is the best time to schedule a back-to-school cleaning?

There’s no magic date on which to schedule your child’s back-to-school cleaning, but we do recommend that you get it on the calendar a few weeks before school starts. If we discover a cavity or some other issue that requires a return visit to our office, you want to have those follow-up appointments done in time for the first day of school. 

You might also consider the date of your child’s last visit. We recommend your child sees us once every six months. Depending on where you’re at in your child’s oral health schedule, we can help you decide if an additional checkup is necessary. 

Can you help in any other ways?

Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in their child’s oral health journey. If you want to go the extra mile and make sure this new school year is the start of a new oral health journey as well, consider the following:

  • Pick up a new toothbrush 
  • Make sure your kids stay hydrated during the school day
  • Pack their bags with tooth-friendly snacks, like baby carrots and cheese
  • Make morning and evening teeth cleaning a part of your family’s routine
  • Put some on-the-go flossers in their backpack
  • Make sure your young athletes wear a mouthguard
  • Review care tips for your kids with braces

You can also make oral hygiene fun by making it a competition, adding music or videos to the routine, and creating a system to reward healthy habits. 

How do I schedule a back-to-school cleaning?

It’s easy to schedule your child’s back-to-school cleaning. Our friendly staff members are standing by to find a day and time that works best for you and to answer all your questions. Our pediatric dentists have years of experience providing gentle, compassionate care to kids of all ages and make each visit fun and comfortable. 

If you’re ready to schedule a teeth cleaning for your kid before the first bell, don’t hesitate to call our office at 703-499-9779 or use our online booking tool