Back to school, back to routine!

Has lockdown put your regular routine out of sync? It has happened to us all and it’s completely normal! When the world felt like it had been turned upside down (and shaken about a bit), it impacted so many areas of our lives. From where we could go and who we could see, to smaller things like the timing of meals and bedtime.

However, with things gradually starting to get back to some normality, it feels like we can get ourselves back on track. The fact that children are heading back to school to begin the new academic year feels like a fresh start for all of us, which will help push us back into a routine and we may even add some healthy new habits in too!

Boost your dental routine

As you already know, the best dental care regime to have is the following:

• Use a mouth rinse daily (always before you brush)
• Floss daily
• Brush for two minutes twice a day
• Attend your regular dental health assessment appointments

Good routine dental hygiene is essential

With the kids going back to school, it’s the perfect time to get them (and you!) back into a great dental routine again. It’s recommended that children brush and floss their teeth twice a day daily.

Children should start flossing as soon as teeth touch (side by side). It’s a great idea to get them into the habit as soon as possible and brushing and flossing along with them so that they feel very grown-up while they do it. This will help you to remember to floss every day and it will instil excellent habits that will help them to enjoy healthy teeth for life.

Make brushing fun for the kids

We always advise using a two-minute timer while they brush, there are lots of free apps (e.g. brush dj) that can help you to make this fun, including songs that are the perfect length.

Discuss healthy eating habits

Eating healthy is very important, not only for your oral health but for your general health too. Get your child involved in packing their lunchbox with snacks like veggies, whole grain bread, cheese, and natural yogurts. It is also important to talk about what sort of foods they are eating at school so they can become familiar with healthy foods.

Plan ahead

The start of the school term usually sneaks up on you and many parents have not thought about booking their child in for their dental visit. By taking a few moments to give some thought to your child’s dental health in advance, it could save you stress, time, and money in the future.

• Book routine dental health assessment well in advance for a time you know will be convenient
• Leave an extra toothbrush at grandparents’ house for impromptu sleepovers

Things like this are simple to do ahead of time and can make a real difference.

Reward good dental habits

Make it easy for your child to love brushing their teeth. Create a reward system or incentives to brushing and flossing consistently every day.

Dental appointments

Here at Crendon Dental Centre, we reserve special times in our diary for children’s dental health assessments. This should help you fit everything into your busy day with minimal disruption. Give us a call on 01494 528 153 to book your appointment, we can even forward plan your next one so that you always have a time that suits you!