New clothes, a new backpack and a haircut are necessities when getting ready for the new school year. The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) believes keeping a bright and healthy smile should also be on the back-to-school checklist, especially since new reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that 65 percent of adolescents aged 16 to 19 years have had tooth decay or fillings in their permanent teeth.
Also, in an age where fluoridated water supply and fluoridated toothpaste is the norm, tooth decay still remains one of the most common diseases of childhood—5 times as common as asthma and 7 times as common as hay fever. The CDC reports that by age five, 60 percent of all children have experienced tooth decay. In addition, more than 51 million school hours are lost each year because of dental-related illness.
"Back-to-school time is the perfect time to make oral and overall health care a part of a young person’s daily routine," says AGD President Bruce A. Burton, DMD, MAGD, ABGD. He shares three easy ways to help children develop good oral health habits that promote overall health beyond school-age and into adulthood:
1. Back-to-School Dental Visits
With children losing their baby teeth and getting in their permanent teeth it is important for them to see a dentist two times a year. Schedule an appointment before school begins to insure confidence in your little one’s smile. Parents can locate a general dentist in their areas by calling toll-free, 1.877.2X.A.YEAR (1.877.292.9327).
2. Instill Good Brushing Habits
New kid-friendly toothbrushes and toothpastes make it easier to encourage younger children to brush on a daily basis and after meals. Pick out a travel size toothbrush so that a child can bring it to school and choose toothpaste with fluoride.
3. Eating and Drinking Right
The new school year also can mean sugary drinks and sugar coated candy for lunch and snacks on the way to after school activities. Doing so increases the likelihood of more frequent trips to the dentist office. Limit soda and sports drinks intake, pack a child a healthy lunch and serve fruits and vegetables instead of candy in between practices.
For more information on children’s oral health including downloadable and printable color fact sheets, please visit www.agd.org.
The AGD is a non-profit organization of more than 35,000 general dentists and is the premier educational resource for professionals committed to providing quality patient care. The AGD is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of continuing learning to advance general dentistry by providing the best tools and resources available in support of its membership.
This commitment to lifelong learning keeps general dentists informed about the latest research, technologies and products in dentistry. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to a patient’s oral health.