Today we welcome Dr. Dominique Lizzio back to Inside Garden City as she gives us some important tips for staying {dentally} healthy.
End of summer has arrived…lazy mornings will soon be replaced with mad dashes to the bus stop. With the rush of the school day, sometimes healthy dental habits get overlooked.
Here are some helpful tips to ensure your kid’s teeth stay healthy throughout the school year.
Brush!!!– Some mornings are more hectic than others. Brushing after breakfast is the best way to keep teeth healthy, but sometimes getting to school on time may mean having breakfast on the way. Brushing before eating is much better than not at all. Studies show that if we brush before we eat, the mouth’s pH will not dip low enough to form cavities.
Healthy Diet– Pack healthy food to eat at school. School provided lunches and snacks may be processed and high in sugar. Consider sending high fiber, low sugar treats. Keeping it simple…cut up fruit and vegetables and add cheese or hummus, will provide children with healthy alternatives.
Choose Water– Soda, juice or sports drinks often contain more sugar than a child should consume in an entire day. Aside from adding unnecessary calories, it can lead to afternoon energy crashes and, of course, tooth decay.
Safety– Children participating in organized sports should always wear mouth protection, helmets and face masks. An athletic mouth guard can help prevent injury to teeth and gums, and reduce risk of concussions if a head injury should occur. Ask advice from your child’s dentist about the type of mouth guard that is appropriate.
Check It Out– Children who fall and hurt their mouth should visit the school nurse and follow up with their dentist. Sometime issues from mouth injuries develop slowly and problems show up months or years later. Always let the dentist know if your child has had any injury to their face. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, it should be replaced within 30 minutes. Hold it by the crown, not the root and quickly rinse it with milk, saline or water prior to trying to re-insert it. If that is not possible, place tooth in some cool milk, sterile saline or between cheek and gum until you can get to a dentist or hospital for help.
Cavities Don’t Usually Hurt– Cavities in baby teeth don’t hurt until they become infected. Remember to bring your children to the dentist every 6 months for an examination, beginning 6 months after they get their first tooth. Healthy baby teeth are important for children to chew and speak properly. Additionally, these first teeth save the space for permanent teeth to grow into.
Braces– Since it can be challenging to brush and floss properly around braces, plaque can build up leading to permanent damage of tooth enamel. Make sure time is taken for your child to properly clean their teeth and make healthy choices when it comes to their diet.
Healthy habits should begin at a young age, but it’s never too late to start. Wishing all of our families a safe, happy and healthy school year!
Dr. Lizzio can be reached at Long Island Family Dental. 901 Stewart Ave, GC. 516-747-2400
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