As summer vacation comes to an end, now is the time to prepare for the school year ahead. While you buy school supplies and meet your child’s teacher, you may be overlooking one vital thing—their smile. As they head back to the classroom, here are a few simple back-to-school tips for young athletes in Creve Coeur.
Get the Protection of an Athletic Mouthguard
If your child participates in sports, keep their smile protected with an athletic mouthguard. This is an essential piece of equipment that will act as a protective barrier for their teeth, mouth, cheeks, tongue, jaw, and gums if they should sustain trauma or injury to their mouth or face.
It is estimated that 3 million teeth are knocked out in youth sporting events every year while one-third of dental injuries are sports-related. An athletic mouthguard can prevent more than 200,000 dental injuries annually.
Your children’s dentist in Creve Coeur can provide a custom-fit mouthguard that is made from a soft plastic or laminate to ensure the highest level of protection while offering a comfortable fit.
Keep Them Hydrated
Hydration is not only vital to a healthy mouth, but a healthy body as well. It is easy for your child to become dehydrated as they focus on school activities. To reduce the risk, make hydration a habit by keeping plenty of water in your home. It is best to avoid sugary sodas, sports drinks, and juices, which can increase their risk of tooth decay. If you are having a difficult time getting your child to drink enough water, try:
- Infusing it with fruit.
- Freeze berries to use as ice cubes.
- Encourage drinking a glass of water before playing.
- Create a family rule to drink a glass of water with each meal.
Eat Healthy Meals
A well-balanced diet is influential to the health and development of your child. Research shows that children who receive proper nutrition not only have better dental health, but also have improved sleep, pay attention in class, and are sick less often. Throughout the school year, life will get busy. As a result, it is easy to grab convenience foods that are not always healthy. To stick to a well-balanced diet, there are a few simple tips to keep in mind:
- Sneak fruits and vegetables into a tasty smoothie.
- Make a healthy dip for vegetables that are included in their lunchbox.
- Make a vegetable soup that also contains lean meats and proteins.
Get Back-to-School Ready
As you prepare for the year ahead, do not forget to schedule your child’s appointment for a cleaning and checkup for a healthy, confident smile.
About Feigenbaum Dental
Dr. James Feigenbaum and Dr. Jenna Feigenbaum are a father and daughter team who are committed to providing family-oriented dental care to the community. With a focus on prevention, they work to foster healthy teeth and gums for patients of all ages. If it has been more than 6 months since your child’s last dental visit, do not wait. Contact our office today to schedule their cleaning and checkup.