It’s the back to school season. So as your kids sharpen their pencils and fill their backpacks, don’t forget to add an important item to your checklist: take your children to the dentist.

 

That’s right; it’s essential to start the school year off right with a checkup.

 

Why is a back-to-school checkup necessary?

 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease for U.S. children. By the time kids start kindergarten, 40 percent of them have some tooth decay. That means even if your kids’ teeth look OK, that doesn’t mean they are. Plus, it’s hard for children to focus during class if they’re battling a toothache or other dental issues.

 

The exam

 

Your children just need a routine exam. Your dentist will review your child’s dental and medical history, examine his or her teeth, jaw and oral tissue, clean and polish their teeth, and apply a fluoride solution.

 

Furthermore, a significant part of a pediatric dentist’s job is to monitor children as they grow. So regular visits will help ensure that your kids’ teeth are developing as they should and remaining healthy.

 

Other benefits

 

Life gets hectic as school swings into full gear, so a visit to the dentist can be an excellent reminder to establish healthy dental habits with your children. Things like making sure your kids brush their teeth after breakfast and floss along with brushing before bed can get overlooked when you’re juggling homework and after-school activities. Your dentist can give you some tips to make sure these tasks get accomplished. (They may even have some tips for making the process more fun for your kids!)

 

So book your child’s back-to-school exam now. Their teeth will thank you down the road.