As the summer comes to an end and busy schedules enter full swing, it’s time to get your kids ready to go back to school with a smile! Here at Bowen Legacy Dental, we want to help you and your kids learn the facts about how to stay healthy for school so they can make the most of every teachable moment. Read on to find out how to keep your little ones healthy, smiling, and learning!
Smiles for Wellness
What better way to kick off the school year than with a happy, healthy smile? Before the fall gets too crazy, make sure to schedule your child for their biannual visit to our office. It is important that we check for cavities before they lead to further decay, pain, and missed school days. Dental problems are the leading cause of missed school. In fact, a survey revealed that children aged 6-12 miss 9 million school days each year for dentistry. Biannual appointments also give us the chance to screen for potential issues, like gum disease, airway problems, and tooth decay, while also removing tartar and instilling good dental habits.
Outside of the office, it’s important that kids also practice proper oral hygiene at home. Poor oral health can jeopardize the immune system. Our mouths are constantly teeming with bacteria. When we brush and floss, this helps clear away some of the buildup (plaque). If oral hygiene is neglected, inflammation, decay, and gum disease may occur. Some bacteria can even inhibit your body’s immune defenses, meaning your little one may be more susceptible to illnesses in the classroom. For a strong immune system, make sure your child is brushing and flossing twice a day, washing their hands, getting enough sleep, staying active, and coming in for regular appointments. As in-person school returns, make sure your child’s immune system is ready to fight off whatever the classroom might throw at them!
A Full Night’s Rest
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics, children aged 3-5 should get 10-13 hours of sleep every 24 hours, including naps. Kids aged 6-12 should sleep 9-12 hours each night. Getting the right amount of sleep means that your child will be more equipped for each day with improved attention, memory, behavior, learning, emotional regulation, and mental and physical health. Failing to get enough sleep or the right quality of sleep can even lead to issues with development, as growth hormones are produced while sleeping.
If your child sleeps with an open mouth, snores, gasps, or exhibits signs of poor sleep, they may need our help. Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB) occurs when children are unable to have a consistently clear airway during the night. This restriction can lead to a number of issues—from behavioral problems and lethargy to teeth grinding, headaches, and bedwetting. At our office, we check patients’ airways at every visit and provide treatments that can help open the airway and allow for proper nasal breathing. As your child continues to grow, bring them in for a consultation so they can breathe clearly, sleep soundly, and learn effectively.
This back-to-school season, make sure your child is ready to tackle the academic year with a smile! Call 614-459-2300 to schedule their next appointment.
