Good oral health when going back to school!

As we start preparing to go back to school, in whatever capacity that may occur, we need to be mindful of our daily routines. Having routines will help establish healthy habits, including good oral health.

Did you know that cavities are one of the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States, possibly leading to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning? Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than children who don’t (CDC, 2019). The good news is that cavities are preventable. Children should be able to succeed and thereby strengthen the future.

TePe has some tips for removing plaque to decrease the risk of getting cavities.

• Remove plaque by cleaning between teeth and brushing twice a day.
• Develop the routine of oral care, especially during the transition from summer back to school.
• With younger kids, it can be fun and a health-focused activity to set aside family time for teeth brushing. Children value the engagement and support you can bring to oral habits.
• Assist your children with brushing until they are old enough to do it themselves—usually around 8-10 years old or around the time they can write a complete address and cut out complex shapes. This will reinforce good techniques.
• Cleaning around braces or orthodontic appliances can be easier with tools designed to reach those hard-to-reach areas. The TePe Compact Tuft brush removes plaque around the brackets effectively, while interdental brushes clean between the teeth going under the wire.

Read More: www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/childrens-oral-health