Summer is the time of the year when cold and sugary foods are consumed and people eat lunch or dinner away from home, so oral hygiene is neglected , especially in children.
As a result, cavities may appear. That is why it is advisable, once the new routine is established in children, knowing the new schedule of classes and extracurricular activities, schedule an appointment with your dentist to check your child’s mouth.
In the meantime, you should keep in mind some tips for back to school: include among all the school supplies to take to class, a case with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, let him choose the brush that suits him best or the toothpaste that tastes best to him.
It’s not about polishing your teeth, but about getting your child into the habit of oral hygiene outside the home.
lunches containing sugary drinks or sweet foods (fruit juices in brick, smoothies, pastries, sweets …), much more advisable a bottle of water with a snack.
Remind him that it is not advisable to share the same glass, cutlery or the typical juice straw with his friends, if there is a bacterial infection, it can be easily transmitted.
- Always brush after breakfast before leaving home, do not leave the house having breakfast because the mouth gets dirty for the rest of the day (we get up 5 minutes earlier and there is enough time).
- Brushing always after dinner before going to bed, then we must not drink a glass of milk or eat anything, we can only drink water (otherwise the bacteria attack the teeth and molars at night).
- Prepare a small case or toiletry bag to carry in the backpack containing a toothbrush and toothpaste so that they can brush their teeth after lunch if they eat at school; if they eat at home, they can brush with their regular toothbrush.
- Rinses with mouthwashes containing fluoride are highly recommended, especially in the evening after brushing (even more so if they have not brushed at midday because they forgot to do so or because they are not allowed to do so at school).
Author: Dr. Javier Domenech – Pediatric Dentist – Col. nº 46003679
