In the blink of an eye the kids will be back at school, which means life will most likely be a bit busier in a few short weeks. Before getting overwhelmed with all that needs to get done to prepare, let us help with a quick checklist:
1. Schedule back-to-school dental and doctor exams
July may be prime summer vacation time, but it is also a good time to schedule a trip to your dentist for a routine checkup. It can be tough to squeeze an appointment in once school is back in full swing and it is important to see the dentist regularly to ensure your child’s oral health is on track. If your child plans to participate in sports, you will need to schedule a sports physical to be cleared to play and it is good to also let the dentist know.
2. Shop for school supplies
Help your child prepare for the new school year. In addition to completing summer reading assignments and math packets, find out what supplies the school requires them to bring. Most schools provide students with a list of supplies by grade; bring it along so you can check everything off in one outing. Getting any necessary supplies in advance will help them stay organized and reduce stress a new school year can bring.
3. Check mouth guards ahead of the fall sports schedule
Approximately 50 percent of sports injuries are directly to the mouth. If your child does not have a mouth guard already, get one. If they do, make sure to have the dentist take a look at it to see that it still fits properly and is clean! At Artistic Dental, we can make a custom mouth guard that molds snugly to your teeth and provides the best prevention from injury.
4. Plan healthy lunches
Consider making lunches that are nutritious and delicious instead of purchasing lunches in the cafeteria. Eating a healthy, well balanced meal for breakfast and lunch will help your child stay more alert throughout their day. If you have trouble coming up what to pack, check out these 12 healthy lunch ideas from Delish your kid will love.
5. Invest in an electric toothbrush
Consider getting an electric toothbrush for your child. If you have multiple kids you can save money by purchasing multiple toothbrush attachments (one for each child) and have them take turns, but the kids will need to cooperate and share. If you already have an electric toothbrush, make sure to change the brush head out every 3 months. Doing so will reduce illnesses and oral hygiene issues. The American Dental Association has some helpful tips about toothbrushes.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed when thinking of all the things you need to do to get your child ready to go back to school. This checklist provides a guide to help make the transition a bit easier and less stressful. Staying organized and checking off the “to do” list, will also help your child will feel confident and excited about the school year ahead.
At Artistic Dental, we provide dental care for your whole family. We also pride ourselves on being a professional resource to our patients on an array of dental related topics. For any additional questions about your child’s dental hygiene including mouth guards or to schedule a checkup please visit our website or call the front office at (602)840-5400.