It’s that time of year again when students grab their new backpacks, put on their latest fashion trends, and get back to the classroom! Not only is fall the perfect time to head back to school, it is also an excellent time to get back on track with your child’s dental visits. At Greeley Dental Health, we recommend that your kids see a dentist at least twice every year. As they grow, they may need additional dental visits to ensure proper dental development and they may need to visit an orthodontist. It’s also a perk to help them keep their teeth healthy and beautiful as they flash those smiles to their classmates and teachers all year long!
Back-to-School Dental Check-Ups by Age
Preschool and Kindergarten
Our dentists see patients as young as one year of age, but making sure your child has had at least one visit to the dentist before preschool will help promote great dental habits as they grow. Because baby teeth are softer than adult teeth, they can be more susceptible to cavities and tooth decay, which is why it is so important that kids are taught the right ways to brush and floss. At their back-to-school check-up, we check for things like cavities so we can get them filled before they affect the development of their permanent teeth or cause gum disease.
Elementary School
In grade school, children start losing their baby teeth and getting their permanent teeth. Around age 11-12, most kids have all of their adult teeth and molars. As a parent, it is a good idea to make sure your children are brushing at least twice every day for two minutes each time and flossing daily. Adding in a healthy mouthwash can also help protect their enamel and promote healthy gums. At their back-to-school check-up, we’ll also be able to determine whether or not your child will need orthodontic treatment. Underbites, overbites, gaps, crowding, and other misalignments can all be corrected with braces or Invisalign. And if they want to get their teeth straightened before they start middle school, now is the time.
Middle School
As children turn into teenagers, they can become more distracted. So, back-to-school dental check-ups become even more important to help remind them of the importance of dental hygiene and dental health. As they become more independent and take ownership of their health, teaching them more techniques and alerting them to the consequences of dental health neglect may help them keep their teeth clean. In addition, most teens have had at least one cavity between the ages of 13 and 19, so checking in with the dentist to get these filled before they spread or become worse is essential.
High School
As we get older, cavities become just one dental issue among a slew of others. One concern among older students is gum disease. Gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, can be sneaky. It causes inflammation of the gums, bleeding, and increased sensitivity. Sometimes, however, Gingivitis can go unnoticed. It is important to take your high schooler in for their back-to-school dental check-up to ensure that these kinds of diseases are caught early. Gingivitis can be reversed!
During the teenage years, kids may have their wisdom teeth erupt. In many cases, wisdom teeth can cause pain or sensitivity, or they can impact surrounding teeth. Staying current with a dentist and having updated x-rays taken will ensure that these teeth are removed before other teeth get in their way, or before they can cause pain. If any of their wisdom teeth are impacted, we’ll help you schedule an appointment for a tooth extraction.
Family Dentist in Greeley
Whether you have preschoolers or teens, don’t forget to make a trip to the dentist part of your back-to-school routine. Greeley Dental Health offers a full range of dental treatments for kids and teens, from fillings to fluoride, to Invisalign. Our flexible scheduling and Saturday availability make it easy to get the whole family to the dentist. Call us to schedule back-to-school checkups for your kids, or request an appointment online.