(540) 318-5577 [email protected]

Red Apple Pediatric Dental Team

Stafford, VA Dentistry for Kids

  • Services
    • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Teen Dentistry
    • Digital X-Rays
    • Emergency Dentistry
    • IV and Non-IV Sedation
    • Stem Cell Recovery
  • About Us
    • Meet Dr. Payam
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Our Office
    • Reviews
    • Green Dentistry
  • Resources
    • Video Library
    • Articles
      • How to Brush Your Teeth
      • How to Floss
      • Age 1 Dental Visit
      • Tooth Tips for Tots
      • What are Dental Sealants?
      • Preventing Cavities in Kids
      • Teething
      • Athletic Mouth Guards
  • New Patients
    • New Patient Paperwork
    • Record Release Form
    • IV Sedation Forms
    • Participating Insurance
    • FAQ’s
  • Blog
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Schedule

Back to School Dental Checklist

While making your list for purchasing school supplies, remember to review the back to school dental checklist below, to ensure your child’s best health and success throughout the upcoming school year.

Back to School Dental Checklist

Using your pediatric back to school dental checklist can help avoid potential absences due to emergency dental appointments that could have been prevented. So, start the school by prioritizing your child’s dental health routine on your back to school To Do List.

1. Review Oral Hygiene Routine

Evaluate your child’s regimen for oral hygiene at the end of the relaxed summer schedule. Make sure that your daily plan for the back to school routine includes having your child brushing for at least two minutes twice daily and flossing. Check your child’s brushing technique and provide any needed additional guidance to ensure that brushing will remove plaque and bacteria.

2. Replace Your Child’s Toothbrush.

According to the American Dental Association, toothbrushes should be replaced after three to four months of use, or sooner if bristles show signs of fraying. The start of the new school year provides a good prompt to remind you to replace toothbrushes. (Winter break and spring break are additional good period markers for toothbrush replacement.)

3. Schedule a Dental Checkup.

Scheduling a dental checkup before the start of the school year helps you keep track of the length of time since your child’s last exam and teeth cleaning. Your child’s dentist will perform a thorough examination, checking for any signs of tooth decay, weak enamel, and cavities that should be treated before school starts. Schedule the exam for at least a month prior to school starting, so any cavities can be filled and other issues addressed without risk of missing any school days.

4. Protect Against Injuries.

Injuries to teeth are a common risk in playing sports, especially in contact sports like soccer, basketball, football, and hockey. If your child participates in school sports practices, or in after-school recreational sports activities, consider obtaining a mouth guard to help protect against dental injuries.

5. Make Healthy Lunches and Snacks.

Packing healthy lunch food items into your child’s lunches is probably already included in your meal planning. But, often, substituting to include foods and beverages that are good for children’s teeth can be overlooked. Some snack items that are better for dental health include string cheeses, vegetables, and fruits. Avoid serving snacks like fruit roll-ups and snack bars that stick to teeth and between teeth. Also, consider packing water or no-sugar beverages, instead of soda or high-sugar fruit drinks.

6. Have an Orthodontist Evaluation.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an examination at age 7. The exam at that age can help your child’s orthodontist set up a personalized plan for your child’s orthodontic care, based on his or her growth rate and unique dental issues, (like a poor bite, overcrowding, etc.). The orthodontist may not suggest braces for a 7-year old, but for an older child who needs braces, it’s best to have them put on the teeth prior to the start of school.

Red Apple Pediatric Dental Team

Your Red Apple dental expert is dedicated to your child’s oral health. If it is time to have a checkup before school start, or any time through the year, contact Red Apple Pediatric Dental Team, Stafford VA, at (540) 318-5577 to make an appointment.

Categories

  • About Us
  • Apples
  • Dentist Fears
  • Dentist for Toddlers
  • Dr. Payam: Ironman
  • First Visit
  • Flossing
  • Fredericksburg Pediatric Dentist
  • Just for Fun
  • Just For Kids Dentistry
  • Kids Dental
  • Pediatric Dental Specialist
  • Quantico VA Pediatric Dentist
  • Teething
  • Tooth Decay in Children

Archives

  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
smiling-kids

Schedule an Appointment
 

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Contact Us

(540) 318-5577

(540) 369-6250

[email protected]

1003 Garrisonville Rd
Stafford, VA 22556

Office Hours: 
Monday – Thursday 8AM – 6PM
Friday – Saturday 8AM – 2PM

 

Patient Guide

  • Services
  • Participating Insurance
  • New Patient Paperwork

About Us

Red Apple Pediatric Dental Team is a pediatric dental office located in Stafford, VA.  We also service the areas of Quantico, Woodbridge, Fredericksburg, Falmouth, and King George.  We specialize in dentistry just for kids! Come in and meet Dr. Payam today!

Contact Us

 

© Copyright 2023 Red Apple Pediatric Dental Team. Made with by Sara Chandlee