Your summer was crazy! Between cross-country trips to see family, camps for the kids and impromptu cookouts, it seemed to just dash by. As back to school time closes in, you’re focused on getting your kids ready for classes. They’ve had a physical from their pediatrician, but did you remember to take them in to see the dentist?
According to the American Dental Association, dental disease causes kids to miss over 51 million hours of school each year. Dental disease is the most common health issue that your children and their peers suffer with about 1 in 5 kids aged 2 to 19 dealing with active tooth decay.
Is Your Child the One?
Dental decay is a common problem, certainly, but have you been skipping routine appointments for soccer games or just not making them at all? A soccer scholarship is certainly something to work toward, but if your kid has a mouthful of rotting teeth, their social life — and yours — will be seriously affected. There’s more to life than soccer, like eating and being able to focus on schoolwork.
You won’t know if your kid is dealing with dental problems without an exam, so why not do it before school starts and everything gets exponentially more stressful? A basic check-up doesn’t take all that long, but we do check all the important stuff, including:
Performing dental x-rays. Dental x-rays make it easy to catch tooth decay when it’s in its infancy. Instead of waiting for your child’s teeth to turn black or crack unexpectedly, an x-ray shows us exactly where the issue is. That way, we can clean it up and fill the tooth with materials that blend seamlessly with the affected area.
Checking gums and teeth. Even if the dental x-rays are perfect, your child could still be developing gum disease or other tooth problems. Your dentist will check each tooth and the gums for irritation, inflammation and other signs that disease is present. What they find can help you form a plan for clearing up the issue together.
Cleaning up plaque and tartar. Everyone has a little plaque and tartar, but not everyone has terrible breath because of it. That’s what usually happens if you skip dental appointments again and again, letting these sticky materials accumulate. A tooth cleaning is always a good idea, and two a year are even better.
Going back to school with a winning smile gives your child the confidence to go straight to the head of the class. Whether they’re in elementary, middle school or in their last year of high school, the back to school rituals mean a lot. Help your kid become the leader you know they are, starting with confidence in their oral health.
We’re Ready for Back to School, Are You?
This is a great time of year for your kids to have their teeth checked and cleaned. When dental exams correspond to a particular season or reason, they can become healthy habits that everyone observes deep into the future. Speaking of futures, after a cleaning your child will have the kind of confidence it takes to get into the best schools and colleges in the country.
Drs. Krieger and Hur are eager to help you and your child be the very best you can both be with routine cleanings and check-ups. We’re easy to reach by telephone at 201-560-0606 or via email. We know you have a lot to do, that’s why we’ve leveraged the latest technology to help you get in and out of the office faster and treat any dental issues with fewer visits.
Together, we can ensure that this year’s back to school is a game changer for your child, both academically and socially.
