Heading Back to High School? Here are Some Tips to Form Good Dental Habits During School
While it seems like just yesterday when local schools were closing for the summer, it is that time of the year once again when students are starting to prepare to head back to the classroom. Because it’s back-to-school time, the doctors and staff at Beaumont Family Dentistry– your local Beaumont, Leestown & Hamburg dentist office would like to offer some tips for high school students, which can help them maintain good dental habits. We hope students attending Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Lafayette High School, Henry Clay High School and Tates Creek High School will heed this advice!
Stock Up on Healthy Snacks for School and Sports Trips
School and sports trips will soon be underway which sometimes means you’ll be gone from morning until the evening hours. A great way to ensure that you’re taking good care of your teeth while on the road is to take along some healthy foods, snacks and beverages. Sports drinks are high in sugar and acids, which erode tooth enamel and cause decay. This is why you should pack a water bottle instead of a sports-drink. And instead of packing candy bars and other sugary snacks, take along healthier snacks instead like nuts and fresh fruits.
Take Along a Dental Care Kit
It’s important to brush your teeth after eating so we recommend putting a small dental care kit together you can carry to school in your backpack or shoulder bag. Just use a small zippered pencil case or something similar you can put your toothbrush and toothpaste in. Then after lunch you can step inside the bathroom to brush your teeth. It’s a good idea to also include dental floss picks you can use to quickly remove food that becomes trapped between your teeth. And don’t forget to replace your toothbrush when the bristles become worn down (or every 3 months).
Always Wear a Mouthguard When Playing Sports
One of the best things you can do to protect your teeth from harm is to always wear a protective mouthguard when suiting up for high school sports. A good fitting mouthguard will provide protection against falls or blows to the face to avoid breaking, cracking or losing teeth. A mouthguard should be worn whenever you’re playing organized sports like football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, basketball and hockey. You should also wear a mouthguard whenever you’re participating in any activity that carries a risk of oral injury like skateboarding, BMX riding and rollerblading.
Don’t Skip Those Dental Checkups!
It’s easy to cancel a dental checkup while you’re in high school because of how busy you are. However, it’s never a good idea to cancel a checkup, as you should see your dentist every six months. During a dental checkup, your dentist will conduct a comprehensive oral exam to assess the overall health of your teeth and gums. Maintaining these important dental appointments can keep your smile healthy for a lifetime.
We wish all our patients who are high school students a productive and fun 2015-16 school year! If you have any questions about maintaining good dental habits, don’t hesitate to contact us as we’re always happy to speak with you!