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As the new school year approaches, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of dental hygiene for students of all ages. Good oral health not only promotes a beautiful smile, but also contributes to a child’s overall well-being. In this article, we will explore essential dental hygiene tips that students can incorporate into their daily routines to maintain a healthy mouth and prevent dental problems from occurring.

Schedule Your Bi-Annual Dental Cleanings

It's important that your child has a regimented dental schedule set up before the chaos of school work takes over. We recommend most parents schedule a dental cleaning for their children during the summer months and then again 6 months later. This usually allows the child to have their second cleaning when they have some time off during the winter holiday months. These checkups not only check for cavities, but can diagnose any skeletal or jaw malformations that may occur at a young age. Leaving these undiagnosed can lead to eventual bite or TMJ issues as well as airway issues later on in life. Sealants can also be placed at these appointments which can help cover the deep grooves of the teeth where sugar and carbohydrates tend to stay, preventing cavities from forming.

It's also important to make sure your child is changing out their toothbrushes every 3 months, or whenever they are sick. Old toothbrushes can harbor bacteria and mold that can negatively affect your oral health. The bristles can also wear very easily over time which can lead to less effective removal of plaque. Also, growing children may need toothbrushes with appropriate size and bristle softness as their dental needs change, making regular replacement essential.

Send Your Child to School with Tooth Friendly Snacks

Packing a daily lunch can help your child prevent future cavities and avoid the temptation to choose unhealthy options in the cafeteria.  It's important to consider foods that are low in sugar and carbohydrates to prevent the spread of decay. Both sugars and carbohydrates can attack your child's enamel causing decay as well as acid erosion.  Foods such as raw vegetables, low sugar yogurts, cheese sticks, and nuts are all great options to choose from. Even dark chocolate can be a better choice than pretzels and crackers. This is because sticky carbohydrates tend to stay in the deep grooves of the teeth for a longer period of time. It's also beneficial to limit your child's snacking throughout the day. The less time sugar and carbohydrates stay on the tooth the better. It's best to have your child consume these over their three main meals daily, then more frequent times throughout the day. 

Acid also plays a role in the decay process for children. Even healthy foods can contain high amounts of acid, such as lemons and salad dressings, that can be hidden causes of tooth decay. Energy drinks, sodas, and sports drinks, tend to have a very high acid content which many people may not realize.  It's best to have your child drink water throughout the day. If they do consume these drink products, have them drink them within a thirty-minute time period and wash or rinse their mouths with water after to eliminate the acid from sitting on the tooth enamel. Wait to brush for at least thirty minutes following consumption of these drinks. Drinking through a straw can also help eliminate how much acid comes in contact with tooth enamel.

Consider a Mouthguard for After School Sports

Sports injuries are very common among young adults these days. As their dentition eruptions, many children have skeletal or dental malformations which can cause their teeth to stick out more prominently. Orthodontic treatment can help with this, but mouthguards can also be a great option to protect any child's dentition from trauma during sporting events. These can even be made in various colors which can make them more fun to wear for young adults.

Conclusion

As students embark on a new school year, prioritizing dental hygiene should be part of their daily routine. By following these dental hygiene tips, students can maintain a healthy mouth and enjoy a confident smile throughout their academic journey. Remember, a little effort in practicing good dental hygiene today can lead to a lifetime of oral health benefits. As always, Dentistry on Fruitville and Dr. Amanda Rizner are here to help you and your families in the Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Venice, Bradenton and surrounding areas get back to school ready!

Private Practice Care at an Affordable Price in Sarasota, Florida

Are you looking for an affordable private practice dentist in Sarasota/Lakewood Ranch, Florida to be your new dental home? Look no further than Dentistry on Fruitville. At Dentistry on Fruitville, we offer an In-House Dental Membership Plan for our patients with no dental insurance! We understand that overall oral health can be costly for an entire family, which is why we’ve created this in house plan in order to make treatment affordable for everyone.

Our dental savings plan includes:

• 2 Healthy Mouth Cleanings
• 2 Dental Exams (Comprehensive exam and Periodic exam 6 months later)
• Unlimited X-rays (Excluding CBCT)
• 1 Emergency Exam
• 15 % off All Dental Treatment

*(If a Scaling and Root Planing procedure (aka "deep cleaning") is recommended, the patient can use their healthy mouth cleanings as their maintenance cleanings. The scaling/root planing would be given with the 15% discounted rate.)

Payment Options for Family Members:

• Single Family Member- $295
• Each Additional Immediate Family Member over 12 years of age- $225
• Each Additional Immediate Family Member under 12 years of age- $100

Make an Appointment Today

At Dentistry on Fruitville, we strive to provide the best quality dental care for your entire family. We understand that the high cost of dentistry can be a deterrent for many people, which is why we are so passionate about our plan. It is our goal to provide you with the most comfortable and caring environment, so that you can call Dentistry on Fruitville your forever dental home in Sarasota, Florida for the years to come.

Call or Email our office at 941-529-0055 or dentistryonfruitville@gmail.com.

Directions to our Office

Traveling to our office from Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Venice, Port Charlotte, or another nearby city? We are easily located just one mile East of I-75 off of the Fruitville Exit (210). Just past Fruitville Grove and the new Fruitville Commons. We are located in the Lee Wetherington Homes Headquarters.

Spring Equinox was Sunday, March 20th!.  That means that the Sun has officially passed the equator and is headed north!  Spring is often the time for renewal so here are a few ways that you can make sure your oral health is back on track:

-Spring and summer breaks are great time for children's dental appointments.  Whether it be for routine care, orthodontics or dealing with pesky wisdom teeth, getting these needs taken care of when it is convenient means less time having to miss school!

-Remember to asses your toothbrush for worn or frayed bristles. Most toothbrushes are ready for replacement after 6 month.  A new season is a great time for a swap!

-Spring and summer normally mean more time outside with friends and family.  Now is a great time to assess your smile and make sure that your teeth are clean and white before summer!  We can help with any smile enhancements that may be needed!

The Fiacail Phadhraig

Legend has it that St. Patrick, after traveling from a treacherous storm came across refuge provided by Bishop Brón who was believed to be a disciple of St. Patrick himself. While making his way across the damp terrain, St. Patrick allegedly fell and knocked out his tooth.

In a unusual twist, instead of discarding the tooth, the saint gave it to his friend the bishop who took it and used it as a foundation of the church’s emotional beginning;

People believe a that few centuries later a local lord saw it fit to enclose the tooth in a casket of gold called the Fiacail Phádraig, which was later passed around from village to villiage in the area.