The back-to-school season is here, and as you check off your supply list, don’t forget your child’s oral health. A healthy smile is essential to school readiness. It affects your child’s ability to eat, speak, and focus in class. Dental pain is a leading cause of school absences. In fact, tooth-related illnesses account for over 50 million school hours lost each year.
At Chapel Hill Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. James Furgurson and Dr. Nathan White want to help your family start the school year with healthy, confident smiles. We’re conveniently located at 501 Eastowne Dr STE 150, Chapel Hill, NC, just off I-40 and 15-501. We proudly serve families from Chapel Hill, Durham, Cary, and all across the Triangle region.
Call us at 919-736-6175 to schedule your family’s back-to-school dental visits.
1. Schedule a Back-to-School Dental Checkup
The most important thing you can do for your child’s oral health this season is to schedule a dental checkup before the school year gets busy. Regular dental visits allow us to catch small problems before they become painful and expensive. A professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup that brushing at home can’t reach.
We recommend that all patients, including children, visit the Chapel Hill dentist every six months for a cleaning and exam. This is also a great time to apply dental sealants, if needed. Sealants are thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They fill in the deep grooves where bacteria can hide, reducing your child’s risk of cavities.
Dr. Furgurson is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. White is an adjunct associate professor at the UNC School of Dentistry. Both doctors are committed to providing gentle, evidence-based care for patients of all ages.
2. Pack Low-Sugar Lunches and Snacks
What your child eats during the school day directly affects their teeth. Sugary snacks and drinks feed the bacteria in your child’s mouth, leading to plaque buildup and cavities.
Here are some tooth-friendly lunch and snack ideas:
- Fresh fruit like apple slices, melon cubes, or berries
- Cut-up vegetables like carrots, celery, or cucumber slices
- Cheese cubes or string cheese
- Yogurt
- Trail mix or granola
And don’t forget about drinks. Water is the best choice for your child’s teeth, especially if it contains fluoride. Try to limit juice boxes, sports drinks, and soda, which are high in sugar and acid. If your child drinks juice, encourage them to have it with a meal and rinse with water afterward.
3. Establish a Consistent Oral Hygiene Routine
Summer schedules can be relaxed, but the school year is a great time to establish a consistent morning and evening routine. Dentists recommend brushing twice a day for two minutes each time and flossing once a day.
Make it fun! Let your child choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste flavor. You can also use a timer or a two-minute song to help them brush for the full recommended time. A sticker chart is a great way to track progress and reward consistent brushing.
Remember to replace your child’s toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles look frayed. If your child uses an electric toothbrush, replace the brush head on the same schedule.
4. Protect Your Athlete’s Smile with a Mouthguard
If your child plays sports, a mouthguard is essential safety equipment. According to the American Dental Association, athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to suffer tooth damage.
Custom-fitted mouthguards offer the best protection. They fit comfortably and allow easy breathing and speaking, which matters during games and practices. Over-the-counter mouthguards are better than nothing, but they don’t fit as well and can be uncomfortable.
Remind your child to wear their mouthguard during both games and practices. And make sure they rinse it before and after each use and store it in a clean, ventilated case.
5. Know What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Accidents happen, especially during sports and recess. Knowing what to do in the first moments after a dental emergency can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.
If a tooth is knocked out:
- Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown, not the root
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently with water. Don’t scrub it
- Try to place the tooth back in its socket. If that isn’t possible, place it in a cup of milk or have your child hold it between their cheek and gums to keep it moist
- Contact our office immediately. Time is critical for saving a knocked-out tooth
If a tooth is cracked or broken:
- Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling
- Contact our office as soon as possible for an evaluation
If there has been any trauma to the head or mouth, seek immediate medical attention first.
6. Make Hydration a Priority
Water is your child’s best friend for oral health. Drinking water throughout the day helps wash away food particles and bacteria that can lead to cavities. It also helps keep saliva production up, which is your mouth’s natural defense against acid attacks.
Encourage your child to drink water at school, especially after meals and snacks. Many schools in the Chapel Hill, Durham, and Triangle area have water fountains or bottle-filling stations. Sending a reusable water bottle with your child ensures they have access to water all day long.
7. Address Dental Anxiety Early
Does your child feel nervous about visiting their Chapel Hill dentist? You aren’t alone. Dental anxiety is common in both children and adults. We take a patient-centered approach to help children feel safe and comfortable during their visits.
Explain to your child why dental visits are important and praise them for being brave. You can also read books about visiting the dentist or play pretend dentist at home. This can help them know what to expect. Let us know if your child has any fears so we can tailor their experience to help them feel comfortable from the moment they walk in.
8. Promote Healthy Habits at Home
Setting a good example is one of the best ways to encourage healthy habits. When your child sees you brushing and flossing regularly, they’re more likely to do the same. Make oral care a family activity. Brush and floss together as part of your morning and evening routines.
You can also make it educational. Talk to your child about why we brush our teeth and what happens when we don’t. Simple explanations can help them understand the importance of oral hygiene and make them more willing to do it.
9. Schedule Appointments for the Whole Family
Scheduling dental appointments for the whole family on the same day saves time and reduces trips to the office. Many of our Chapel Hill and Durham families choose to schedule back-to-back appointments for parents and children. This simplifies the process and makes dental care more convenient for everyone.
Dr. Furgurson and Dr. White provide care for patients of all ages. This means your family can establish a relationship with a dental team that understands your unique needs and history.
10. Stay Consistent All Year Long
Consistency is the foundation of a healthy smile. Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day should be a daily habit, not something you think about only when you’re at the dentist in Chapel Hill. Regular dental visits every six months help catch and address potential problems early.
Schedule Your Family’s Back-to-School Dental Visit
A healthy smile is the perfect way to start a successful school year. At Chapel Hill Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. James Furgurson and Dr. Nathan White are here to help your entire family achieve optimal oral health.
We serve patients from Chapel Hill, Durham, Cary, and all across the Triangle region. Our office is conveniently located near the UNC campus and the 15-501 corridor.
Call us at 919-736-6175 or request an appointment online to schedule your family’s back-to-school dental visits.