As summer comes to an end, it seems like your child’s to-do list is never-ending. You need to get new clothes and school supplies and prepare for upcoming extracurricular activities. But one especially important appointment you need to make as you prepare for back to school is a visit with your trusted dental team.

While a back-to-school dental visit might not seem that important, it is a great way to start their new school year off right. If you want to learn more about the importance of back-to-school cleanings and what to expect at your child’s upcoming appointment, especially if this is a first-time visit, keep reading. 

Preparing for Your Back-to-School Dental Visit

Before you take your child to their back-to-school dental visit, it is important that you prepare them for this appointment, especially if they’ve never been before. The dentist can be intimidating, even for children who have visited before. If you want to prepare them for an upcoming back-to-school appointment, consider doing the following:

• Reading books about visiting the dentist.
• Choosing a dentist with pediatric experience.
• Play dentist to get them used to the experience.
• Ask them to select a comfort item to bring with them. 
• Stay calm and positive about the appointment. 

While an upcoming appointment can be daunting, your positive and calm demeanor can make this experience much easier for your child. The nerves they are experiencing are incredibly common, and by being supportive throughout this process, you can help quell these nerves. 

What to Expect at a Back-to-School Visit

If you are going to a back-to-school dental visit, there are a few things you can expect your dental team to go over, including: 

Dental Exam

Before your dental team begins the back-to-school cleaning, they’ll examine your child’s teeth. In some cases, the team will need to perform X-rays to get a better idea of any potential oral health problems or conditions. They’ll take a close look at your child’s gums and look for signs of plaque and tartar buildup. The team may also ensure that your child is losing teeth at an appropriate rate and that there are adult teeth to replace any lost ones. 

Teeth Cleaning

Once they’ve conducted their initial assessment of your child’s oral health, your dental team will begin the dental cleaning. In many cases, they will only need to gently scrape plaque and tartar buildup from their teeth. However, if your child has significant plaque buildup, they may need to use ultrasonic cleaning devices to remove any tough plaque and protect your child from developing irritating and painful gum disease. 

Oral Hygiene Suggestions

At your back-to-school dental visit, it isn’t uncommon for your dental team to make oral hygiene suggestions. If, during the cleaning, your dental team notices signs of gum disease development or plaque and tartar buildup, especially around your child’s molars, they may make suggestions to make brushing and flossing easier while ensuring your child is properly cleaning their teeth and avoiding oral health complications.

Orthodontic Suggestions

In addition to providing oral hygiene suggestions, your dental team may begin discussing orthodontic options at your back-to-school visit. While you might believe your child is too young for orthodontics, it is important to remember that orthodontics often goes more smoothly if your child starts when they are young, and their bones are more malleable. This may also give you time to prepare for this long-term commitment and ensure your child is in good oral health before they begin. 

Treatment Recommendations

If your child is dealing with more significant oral health conditions, like early gum disease, your dental team may also recommend additional dental treatments. They won’t make these suggestions unless it is essential to protect your child’s teeth from decay and increased irritation. It is important that you schedule any follow-up appointments as soon as possible to ensure you can get your child in before the school year starts. 

When Should You Schedule Your Back-to-School Visit?

If you want to schedule an appointment for your child before they go back to school, you may want to consider scheduling in mid to late July. As August quickly approaches, it may be far more difficult to get your child in for a dental cleaning, and you may end up waiting much longer for an appointment than you anticipate. 

To ensure you can get your child in before the school year begins, you might want to reach out to the dental office at the end of the previous school year. With upcoming holiday vacations and busy summer schedules, this may provide you with more opportunities than you’ll have if you put off scheduling this appointment.

These back-to-school appointments are the best way to ensure your child can avoid oral irritations and diseases that may otherwise interrupt their education. If you want to start school off right and avoid a long wait as the start of the year approaches, schedule as far in advance as possible.

Your Trusted Back-to-School Dental Partner

If you’re looking for a reliable dental team in the Brigham City area to help your child through their first dental appointment, turn to our team at Jenson Dental. For generations, our team has provided expert care to dental patients across the city. Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been coming to the office for years, we’re here and ready to provide you with expert care.

From dental cleanings and gum disease treatment to cosmetic dental procedures, restorative work, orthodontic treatment, and much more, our team is trained and experienced in it all. With our Jenson Dental team on your side, you can trust that you’re on the path to achieving your best oral health.

If you would like to schedule a back-to-school dental visit with our team, don’t hesitate to contact us today.