Children all over Ontario are about to head back to school, and parents are working hard to make sure they’re ready. You’ve gone shopping for school supplies and new clothes, reviewed school bus information, and created a meal plan for several weeks of healthy lunches – but have you brought your child to the dentist yet?
While it’s not a part of every parent’s back-to-school to-do list, it’s a good idea to get your child’s next dental exam out of the way now. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why.
1. Avoid Missing School
Scheduling your child’s dental checkup before school starts makes it a lot easier to get an appointment that doesn’t conflict with their classes. While many dentists offer evening and weekend appointments, these slots are in high demand and can be very hard to get.
Late summer appointments are much easier to book. This is especially important if your child needs multiple appointments, such as when getting braces or getting their wisdom teeth removed. You may not be able to get all the work done before the school year begins, but you’ll get the best selection of appointment times for those future dates too.
2. Boost Your Child’s Self-Esteem
Stained, crooked, or decaying teeth can all impact the appearance of a child’s smile and make it hard for them to express themselves with confidence. While younger kids might not care too much, older children and teens certainly will.
Getting a cleaning and checkup before school starts will brighten up their smile and help them start the new year on the right foot. They won’t feel self-conscious about their teeth, and they’ll have one less thing on their minds as they start building new relationships with their peers.
3. Minimize Distractions
Tooth decay, gum disease, and chipped or broken teeth can be very irritating or even painful to live with. Your child can’t do their best in school when they’re dealing with aching gums or a sharp spot on their tooth that they keep touching with their tongue.
Taking them to the dentist before school starts allows you to get any dental problems fixed before they can impact your child’s studies. It might seem like a small thing, but it’s vital to helping your child reach their fullest potential.
4. Get Them Ready for Sports
If your child is interested in playing any contact sports, they’ll need a custom mouthguard to protect their teeth while they play. Without one, they could easily break, loosen, or even completely knock out their teeth.
Getting this piece of equipment read before school starts allows your child to safely begin playing their sport of choice right away. It only takes one accident to end up with permanent consequences, so this one simple thing might be what saves some of your child’s precious permanent teeth.
Send Your Child to School with a Smile
Your child deserves to start their school year at their best, and getting them a dental check-up now is an easy way to help make this happen. As always, Coscarella Family Dentistry is here to help. Contact us at 519-969-8171 or online to book an appointment for your child today.
