Summer Is A Great Time To Get Dental Work Done Before Heading Back To School

Between trips to the beach, family outings and fun activities planned this summer, parents should remember to schedule a dentist appointment. This is important not just for the teeth and  gums but the mouth as a whole. If there are any issues that need to be treated, such as tooth decay or gum disease, these can be identified in the early stages. Summer is an excellent time to deal with such issues as it presents more opportunity for multiple appointments, if needed for a specific treatment plan, since the kids are out of school.  It is imperative for children that their oral health is addressed and that steps are taken to ensure healthy teeth and gums. We also know how important it is for children to feel comfortable when going to the dentist, so we really place emphasis on making the experience fun and spend the time necessary to alleviate their anxiety. Note: we always encourage parents to accompany their child into the exam room, if that is preferred.

While school’s out and summer fun activities are definitely on the list of things to do, parents are advised to schedule dental appointments and regular checkups. According to the CDC, tooth decay is one of the most common conditions among children which results in a large number of missed school days. Early detection of problems can help avoid pain, trouble eating, difficulty speaking and very importantly...help avoid unnecessary school absences. The team at Quince Orchard Dental Care are eager to welcome our younger patients this summer. We make visits engaging, educational and fun. Most importantly, our team are experts at being as gentle as possible and because we want to encourage more visits, we reward our young patients for a  job well done with our prize tokens and a prize box.

At the earliest age possible, parents should also be encouraging their children to develop good oral hygiene habits. This should not only be about practicing healthy habits moving forward such as brushing regularly, flossing and eating the right foods, but also include getting comfortable with regular dental visits.  In fact, poor diet, eating habits and inadequate brushing during the first 2 years of life have been shown in several studies to be related to tooth decay in children. This could lead to problems later on with permanent teeth. Now is the best time for children to start practicing excellent oral hygiene and getting used to the concept of working together with dentists to achieve better oral health. 

Various studies have shown that among many other benefits, healthy mouths and smiles give young people confidence in their social interactions. When it comes to self confidence though, braces can be a big concern for kids.  It’s something that they need to get used to within their personal view of themselves, as well as getting used to proper maintenance and cleaning after their orthodontic work. Summer presents an excellent time for them to get used to new braces on all fronts. Generally speaking nowadays, there’s more TV, video game and personal time in the summer with less kid to kid interaction during the summer compared to the everyday interaction with tons of other kids in school...so this makes summer a great time to get used to new braces.

Take the time to schedule an appointment for your child or children before the flurry of back to school activities. By doing this you will be ensuring that not only are they equipped to have the best possible academic year, but that they will have the healthiest and brightest smile to go with it! At  Quince Orchard Dental Care, while our specialty is oral health, we also place great emphasis on being a complete health practice, since we believe that a healthy mouth is part of a child’s overall health. Regular dental checkups are an important part of overall health since we can at times identify other underlying health risks.  Schedule your child’s next appointment with us today!