The Back-to-School Dental Checklist

After-school appointment slots disappear fast once the year starts. Booking in late July or August means first pick of times that do not require pulling anyone out of class — and time to handle anything we find before picture day.

Do it now: two minutes online, off your plate for six months.

When permanent molars come in (around ages 6 and 12), a thin protective sealant painted on the chewing surfaces prevents most of the cavities that happen in those deep grooves. Quick, painless, and usually covered for kids. Think of it as a raincoat for molars.

Do it now: add “ask about sealants” to your phone notes. We handle the rest at the visit.

If it spent June at the cabin or has bristles pointing four directions, it has earned retirement. Toothbrushes should be swapped every 3–4 months, and the school year is a reminder you will actually remember.

Do it now: toss a new brush in the cart while you are in the school supply aisle anyway. Soft bristles, kid-sized, their pick of color.

Football, soccer, hockey, volleyball: if a ball, stick, or teammate could meet your kid’s face, a mouthguard belongs next to the cleats. A custom one from our office fits right and stays put, so kids actually wear it. And it costs a lot less than fixing a knocked-out tooth.

Do it now: mention the mouthguard when you book and we can often do both in one visit.

A little zip pouch saves lunchtime drama: travel toothbrush, floss picks, sugar-free gum. Braces family? Add orthodontic wax, a small mirror, and spare rubber bands, because the poking-bracket day is always a school day.

Do it now: one zip pouch, five minutes, weeks of peace of mind.

Summer happens to everyone. The week or two before school is the time to get brushing back on schedule: two minutes, twice a day, floss before bed. Kids under 7 or 8 still need a grown-up to check their work. A timer or a favorite song helps the two minutes fly.

Do it now: start the school-year routine this week, not the night before the first bell.

Two troublemakers: sticky and sippy. Gummy snacks and granola bars camp out in molars all afternoon, and slowly-sipped juice bathes teeth in sugar. Water is the lunchbox MVP; cheese, nuts, and crunchy fruit are teeth-friendly and kid-approved. Treats are fine — better with lunch than nursed till 3pm.

Do it now: swap the daily juice box for a water bottle. One change, big payoff.