Back to School & Looking After Your Oral Health

It’s that time of year for new beginnings and fresh starts, no not January 1st but the start of the new school year. Children will be returning to school to varied mixtures of joy and sadness from parents and young adults heading away from home from the first time to college and university.

It’s time to perhaps get your own health back on track now you have some time and that includes your dental health. If you have been thinking about making those changes to the way your teeth look or maybe feel and stop getting bothered by that niggly tooth, then now is the time to get in touch!

And don’t use the excuse that you’re scared or it will hurt, we can solve both those problems, if you don’t believe us then take a look at this video from one of our patients:

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bekc5fH47q8

What about the children?

If it’s time for their dental check then we would definitely recommend getting in touch and booking in. Over the summer holidays habits are a little different and good brushing can be a bit hit or miss. Our team can help get them back on track with good brushing habits and better focus on their dietary habits too.

Extra protection required?

Apart from ensuring their toothpaste contains fluoride to help protect the teeth from decay and strengthen the enamel you should also consider protection of their teeth when playing sports.

What sort of sports?

Any sport where there is potential contact so for instance

Rugby
Football
Martial arts
Hockey

Most schools will indicate if your child requires a sports mouthguard and some won’t let them play unless they have one which we think is a great idea.

Sports mouthguards can save such a lot of heartache and time and cost at the dentist in the long run.

Shop bought or custom made?

When children are young and their teeth are changing all the time it is easy to think a shop bought mouthguard that you soften in hot water and mould to teeth may be better and more cost effective. However, our experience with our own children as well as patients shows this can be counter productive.

Moulding a shop bought guard to fit can prove very tricky and you will find they don’t often remain in place. They can also be very uncomfortable so this results in them not being used and offering no protection at all.

We would generally recommend you have a custom made guard constructed at your dentist and even with changes in the way teeth are coming in we find these usually last a whole season of playing the sport. We can trim them too to help make them last a little longer. Whilst they are more expensive you will find a better compliance and therefore more likelihood in preventing the damage that you’re worried about!

Custom made mouthguards can also be made in any colour required, a favourite team colour or the school colours, next time you’re in ask to see our range.

Back to school plan

So in summary what is the Back to School Plan?

• Book a dental health check
• Get back on track with twice daily brushing with a good toothbrush – not too big – and a fluoride containing toothpaste
• Think healthy snacks and healthy lunch options
• Avoid sweet sugary and fizzy drinks – remember even flavoured water can decay teeth
• Get the right dental protection for the sport of their choice.

Why not call 0161 928 0014 and make an appointment?

We look forward to seeing you and your family at Barrington Dental Care in Altrincham, Cheshire.