Helping Students Stay Ahead of Dental Problems
By: Stephen Price DDS | Friday, September 15th, 2017 | Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry
Friday, September 15th, 2017
Students of all ages are busy, to say the least. This time of year is filled with exciting new possibilities, new friends, and new challenges. In between finding new classrooms and finding new friends and interests, there is very little space to give thought to oral care. We can’t expect students to think about how they can avoid cavities and other problems when there are so many other thoughts filling their minds. What we can do, though, is lend a helping hand.
Like a friendly neighborhood dentist in Northern Virginia, Dr. Price and our team see a lot of young people interested in Invisalign. In addition to developing successful treatment protocols, we discuss inventive ways to keep teeth healthy and injury-free during the school year. Some of our suggestions are . . .
- Think of the future. This one is for parents. Once the school year is settled into a nice groove, parents can think ahead to the next convenient time for dental checkups and cleanings. Mid-year holiday break time is an excellent option for busy students and parents. However, if your student did not have a checkup and cleaning during the summer months, you may need to contact us sooner for the routine care that catches problems early.
- Think about protection. It is easy to trust in the school-provided or recommended protective gear for student athletes. Numerous studies suggest that there could be a problem when it comes to the prevention of dental injuries. Most students are steered toward affordable, easy boil-and-bite mouth guards for any sports. What research has found is that these are often left on the bench. Why? Because they are uncomfortable! Give your student a leg up by talking with your dentist about a custom-fit mouth guard.
- Think for your student. Sometimes, parents have to think about the important things that their children can easily forget – like brushing and flossing. Young students may need a weekly chart and reward system to encourage them to brush regularly (two minutes, twice a day!). Older students may also need an age-appropriate reward system or at least a friendly reminder.
Dental needs do not go away when life gets busy. In fact, this is when we most need to remember our oral care habits. To get help from your Burke dentist, call (703)750-9404.
