It’s already August, and the kids are going back to school. That means the dreaded struggle of trying to get back on a schedule will inevitably happen. This is the time of year for back-to-school supply shopping, new clothes or uniforms, meeting new teachers, and preparing for everything associated with a vibrant and productive school year. But beyond buying Ticonderoga pencils and Crayola colored pencils, there are certain things that you should be doing to help build your routine and ensure a healthy smile that lasts beyond the school year.

Tips for Healthy Teeth in Children

1. 1. Set bedtimes and wake-up times at the same time each day. Good sleep habits build healthy habits that trickle down to your dental health. Kids especially need plenty of sleep to avoid fatigue, aid in concentration, and prevent snacking.
   2. Establish a routine for brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. We know how kids can be in the summers. Between trips to camp, vacations, and lazy days, we’re willing to bet they missed a few of those brushings! By re-establishing your routines, especially for your dental health, you’ll avoid costly cavities and prevent future dental issues. Set a schedule for brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Need tips to get kids to brush on schedule? Play their favorite song and set a two-minute timer. That time brushing their teeth will fly by.
   3. Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Avoid sugary snacks and beverages with empty calories. Sugary treats can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Instead, find snacks that nourish your body and are still fun to eat.

<li”>Schedule that dental cleaning, X-rays, or sealants. We know those dental visits before and after school are precious, so get on the schedule early to ensure you snag one of those appointments. Our team will help keep you cavity-free with a bright smile all year.

• If your child plays a sport, ensure they have a well-fitting mouthguard. Mouthguards are mandatory in many sports, including football and lacrosse, among others. They help prevent trauma to the gums, lips, tongue, cheeks, and teeth, by acting like a cushion to absorb impact. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, sports accidents account for nearly 40 percent of all dental injuries in children.

Schedule Your Pediatric Cleaning Today

Keep up with your routine dental cleanings by calling our office at (865) 584-6163 and get on the schedule. 

Every February, we support National Children’s Dental Health Month. There is a strong emphasis on proper dental hygiene for kids during the month. As children grow, they rely primarily on their parents to learn what is right and wrong and what to do and avoid. So, as a parent, it’s your responsibility to show your children what healthy dental habits are. 

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), children should go to the dentist when their first tooth grows in or before their first birthday. When starting healthy habits early, your children are more likely to have better dental hygiene throughout their lives. As with adults, children should visit the dentist twice yearly to ensure that their teeth, gums, and mouth are healthy. This is increasingly important as children lose their baby teeth and their permanent adult teeth come in, especially if they see cavities, tooth decay, or inflammation. If these issues persist, your dentist may recommend a quarterly dental checkup instead of a bi-yearly visit. 

When instilling proper dental hygiene into your children, you get a reminder, too! Make flossing a family activity and consider offering rewards for positive dental visits, such as movie nights or game nights. 

Practicing healthy oral habits will also transfer to healthy habits in other areas of their lives. When children are consistently working on ways to better their health and life, you will see more positive choices in their future. For example, daily flossing and brushing can lead to better study habits and help around the house – especially when healthy and positive habits are reinforced and rewarded! 

Silver Diamine Flouride (SDF)

A relatively new technique in America is silver diamine fluoride, and it prevents cavities from growing, forming, or spreading. SDF is applied directly to the surface of teeth, whether on a specific tooth in which a cavity has started to develop or on all teeth as a preventative measure.

This procedure is easier and less invasive than drilling for cavities and can help those with anxiety about the dentist, especially children. This technique is generally performed yearly, if at all. While there are many positive aspects to this procedure – it’s easy, painless, and a helpful cavity solution – there are also negatives. The main drawback to this procedure is that black staining around the areas where SDF was applied has been known to turn black. It’s unknown whether this is a temporary or permanent change. 

Before recommending SDF treatment, each dentist will consider your (or your child’s) specific scenario. However, due to the adverse aesthetic risks, although harmless, many dentists still prefer the traditional technique of getting cavities under control.  

If you’re looking for the best dentist in Knoxville, whether for children or adults, you’ve found it with Cakmes Dental Studio. We’re more than happy to start your children on their dental health journey and can answer any questions you or they have along the way. Give us a call today to schedule their first appointment!

Since 1981, the entire month of February has been designated for promoting the importance of children’s dental health. So, this year we are celebrating the 39th anniversary of encouraging and helping raise awareness of the dental health of children. The National Children’s Dental Health Month is a project that was created by the American Dental Association (ADA), Oral B, and Crest. This campaign’s slogan and goal is, “brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth for a healthy smile.”

Some may find it surprising that many people actually believe that the health of children’s teeth and gums is not relevant until their permanent teeth grow in. This is not true in any way. As soon as a child’s baby tooth grows in, it is at risk of getting a cavity. Although they will, in fact, lose these teeth, cavities in children’s baby teeth can be very painful for the child and financially painful for the parent. 

Once children’s permanent teeth come in, they are at a high risk of getting cavities. Did you know that, according to the CDC, 9 out of 10 cavities occur in children’s back teeth? Dental sealants are proven to be extremely effective in preventing many of these cavities from forming. Sealants are applied to the back teeth, and the application is completely painless. Consult your family dentist today to explore sealant options for your child. You will not regret this decision.

At Cakmes Dental Studio, we love celebrating this month because we see so much opportunity to positively influence children. We encourage parents to never waste a moment by instilling excellent brushing and flossing habits in their children as soon as they are able to brush their teeth on their own. During these adolescent years, kids are sponges. Set (at least) one day of the week to brush and floss together! Children learn so much simply by watching and listening to others, so it is important to act quickly and set a good example. Also, many habits are developed during these years, so encouraging great brushing and flossing habits can be extremely effective in maintaining your child’s dental health throughout their entire life. 

Contact Cakmes Dental Studio to schedule an appointment for you and your child today. We would love to help you and your family celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month!