One would think that once school let out for the summertime, you and your family could finally take a break from the hustle and bustle of the school year.  But as many parents know, that couldn’t be further from the truth, and in many cases, the summer months are just as jam-packed with activities and events as the regular school year.

Vacations and baseball games may have your calendar full, but don’t forget to make time for those important routine appointments, including your child’s back-to-school dental exam.  Not only are these check ups an important part of keeping your kid’s teeth healthy and strong, it’s also the law!

Illinois requires all school-aged children in grades K, 2^nd and 6^th to have a back-to-school exam. For your convenience, Grove can complete these school exams at the same appointment as a dental cleaning.  Mark two things off of your summer to-do list by scheduling a routine cleaning and mandatory school exam now!

Visiting the dentist isn’t the only way to keep kids’ teeth healthy.
These tips can help you guide your child toward better oral hygiene this summer:

• Encourage your child to brush his or her teeth at least twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• Children should floss at least once a day.
• Promote a nutritious diet with healthy snack foods such as fresh fruit, veggies, and cheeses.
• Limit high-carbohydrate foods and sugary snacks and drinks that cause tooth decay.
• If your child participates in sports and other recreational activities, make sure they always wear a protective mouthguard.

Appointments fill up fast, so beat the August rush and call to make your child’s back-to-school appointment today.

It’s never too early to establish good dental health habits. Starting at birth, you can begin promoting good oral hygiene for your baby that will last a lifetime.  Even before your baby sports his first tooth, you should wipe his gums clean each day with a soft, moist cloth.  Including regular mouth cleanings as a part of the baby’s daily routine will also make it easier to transition into tooth brushing later on and help prevent future dental problems.

Tooth decay affects children in the U.S. more than any other chronic infectious disease. Decay or lost baby teeth can lead to problems with eating, speaking and issues with permanent teeth later in life.  For this reason, the sooner you introduce good oral hygiene as a regular part of your baby’s routine the better.

Tooth Brushing and Little Mouths
As soon as your child’s first tooth erupts, usually between 6 and 12 months of age, you should begin brushing and cleaning the tooth regularly.  After meals and before bedtime, gently wipe the first  tooth with a damp cloth. You can also use a soft, child-sized toothbrush with water and fluoride-free toothpaste to clean the teeth and gums.

Once your child gets a little older and develops more teeth, allow your child to brush on his own with your supervision.  This will help establish good brushing habits at a young age. Follow the child’s brushing with a more thorough cleaning of your own until the child is old enough to handle the task of brushing without your assistance.

By your child’s first birthday, schedule a visit to the dentist. This is a great time for your child to get to know the dentist and for parents to discuss how to care for their child’s mouth, appropriate use of fluoride, proper nutrition, milestones of dental development and other preventive care. Grove Dental has extremely gentle, experienced pediatric dentists on staff at all four office locations, dedicated exclusively to treating kids.

A baby’s teeth are at risk for tooth decay as soon as they erupt. Prolonged exposure of a child’s teeth to sugary liquids is a leading cause of decay.

Once a child reaches his or her first birthday they should know how to drink from a cup to reduce the damaging effects of tooth decay. The American Dental Association (ADA) offers the following tips for choosing a training cup.

• Avoid “no spill” cups. This type of training cup works the same as a baby bottle, requiring the child to suck on the valve rather than learning to sip from the cup.
• Choose training cups with a snap-on or screw-on lid and a spout.
• A cup with two handles and a round, weighted base that helps prevent spills is best for young children or those just learning to sip.
• A small plastic cup filled with only a small amount of liquid may also be used to help teach a child how to sip from a regular drinking cup.

What parents put into the cup is also important.   Excessive consumption of sugary drinks, like formula, milk and juices promotes tooth decay.  Offer your baby water between meals instead, and limit milk and juices to mealtimes when the mouth produces more saliva.  Frequent sips of sugary drinks throughout the day increase the risk for decay.

To prevent injury, it is also important that toddlers just learning how to walk do not play or run around with a training cup.  Falling while drinking from a cup may injure the child’s teeth or mouth.

A training cup should only be used temporarily until your child has learned how to sip from a cup. Combined with regular dental visits starting no later than your child’s first birthday, regular brushing and good nutrition, parents can promote good oral health habits that lead to a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Gum disease may be more common than you think with an estimated 75% of Americans having some form of the disease. More startling are recent studies that have linked gum disease and decay to other diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and even pregnancy complications.

The good news is that gum disease and tooth decay are completely preventable. No matter what your age, it’s never too early, or late, to learn the fundamentals of good oral hygiene.  You’ll benefit from a healthier, more attractive smile and improved general health.

A few helpful reminders for improving your dental habits:

• Brush at least twice a day.
• Use toothpaste with fluoride to keep teeth strong.
• Don’t forget to floss. It’s important for removing plaque from between the teeth and along the gum lines.
• Keep a toothbrush with you at the office.  Brushing after lunch is an easy way to keep teeth clean at work.
• Stop smoking—it’s one of the most dangerous oral habits you can acquire.
• Visit your Grove dentist regularly for thorough cleanings and checkups. 

Little ones should also learn the importance of good dental habits at an early age.  Make good dental habits a priority at home and educate your children to the benefits of a healthy mouth.  Now that school is back in full force, remember to reinforce good brushing and flossing habits as a part of your child’s daily routine.  Keeping a tooth brush in your child’s back pack is a great way to promote healthy teeth during the school year, especially for kids wearing braces.

The best practices for a healthy smile begin with good dental hygiene.  Take the time to brush and floss daily, and visit Grove regularly for cleanings and checkups.   Your teeth and body will thank you.   

Can you believe it's that time again?  Summer always seems to fly and it won't be long until the kids are back to schoo, bringing another fun-filled summer break to a close.

Getting ready for the new school year involves preparation and planning. For many kids, it means new clothes and school supplies.  It’s also a great time for parents to reinforce good health habits, including ways to keep teeth looking and feeling their best.

When compiling this year’s back-to-school list, don’t forget to include a new toothbrush!  There are many new kid-friendly toothbrushes and toothpastes available that help encourage children to brush regularly.  Travel-sized toothbrushes and toothpastes fit easily in backpacks so that kids can brush at school, especially for kids in braces.  And while you’re at it, consider getting one for yourself for the work place.

Summertime is also the perfect time to schedule your child’s regular dental exam. You’ll help kick the school year off right and save the hassle of scheduling a visit to the dentist around school hours and busy after-school activities. Give Grove Dental a call today to schedule your child’s exam. Not only is it an Illinois state requirement*, it’s one of the best ways to keep your child healthy and happy.

*Illinois state law requires mandatory dental exams for school-aged children entering Kindergarten, 2^nd and 6^tth grades.