Kids want to look their best especially when it is their first day of school. With all the new supplies, bags, notebooks, and memories to share, they’ll have to mingle with other kids. Do not let the child miss out the fun by hiding their beautiful and healthy smile. Pediatric Dentistry is a dental specialty that focuses on improving the child's overall dental health, from the moment their first tooth appears until their adolescence. Pediatric dental procedures also fight the most common problem of school-aged children, the dental cavities. More than other health-related diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and obesity, cavities top them all which makes it the most hated dental problem of children and parents. Here at Mount Vernon Dental Smiles, we provide Pediatric Dentistry Services to help your child have that beautiful, radiant, and healthy smile to show off this school year.

Effects of Untreated Tooth Decay and Cavities

• Difficulty in speech
• Develop into abscess or cellulitis
• Affect the child’s ability to chew
• Shifting of the teeth that would later require an orthodontic treatment
• May cause periodontal disease
• Tooth loss
• Affects performance in school

Tooth decay is on top of the list of chronic diseases for children so parents must take action and start changing the lifestyle and bad habits of their youngsters.

Back-to-school Tips for Better Oral Health

Pick the right snacksThe best way to ensure that children do not consume cavity-causing foods and snacks is to swap out the lunchbox no-no’s that may harm the child’s health with healthy alternatives. It is not good that children always eat chips, crackers, and salty snacks for it may erode children’s teeth. Avoid adding sugary snacks and candies instead, offer crunchy and healthy snacks such as celery sticks and cubes of cheddar cheese. Schedule a back-to-school dental visitThe school-aged years of a child are the most vital for it is the time of great change in their mouth; kids will lose their baby teeth and will be replaced by permanent and adult teeth. Simple preventive checkups will help the child from not getting dental cavities and would reduce the risk of other dental issues from arising. Establish good dental practices and make it funParents know what their child likes or hates the most and it will be the key for the parents to create and use appropriate methods in improving their child’s health. One of the strategies to let children not hate brushing and flossing is to make them fun. Parents can use their child’s favorite two-minute song while brushing or personalize their dental hygiene kit to make them use it every day.The child’s dental health is vital as their schooling and must be given attention at all time to prevent the development of tooth decay and dental caries. Let the child love and care for their teeth, and they will bring t until their adulthood.Mount Vernon Dental Smiles is always prepared and ready to take action involving you and your child’s oral health. If you want to experience comfortable, secure, and more child-friendly Pediatric Dentistry Services in Alexandria, VA, contact us and book your appointment.