Back to school

It is that time of year again when students of all ages are going back to school.On Tuesday, August 28th it was Center Street school who shined for the new year with it's great teachers, staff and students. My daughter had a list of items to bring with her the first day almost a page long.It is important to remember that in addition to the recommended supplies, a healthy mouth is also a necessity.

A dental examination is just as important as your kids immunizations and booster shots and should be a regular part of your kids back-to-school preparations. Dental pain or disease can lead to difficulty in eating,speaking,playing and learning as well as millions of hours of missed class

Students' back-to-school checklist:

1. Regular clinical and radio graphic dental examinations to diagnose,treat and/or prevent dental problems are always important. In school guardians and teachers may not always realize threes a dental problem, so a regular checkup before school is especially important. Your dentist may suggest fluoride treatments or sealants to prevent decay and can diagnose and great dental problems such as decay to save your child discomfort and lost attendance.
2. A regular hygiene program including brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing. Visit the dental care section when you're ot shopping for school supplies. If parents buy several toothbrushes they could have their child change to a new one every six months or so, or after an illness. If it's hard to remember when to change a brush, you could try to change it every time report cards ocoe out. Ask your dentist for a recommendion on how often to change toothbrushes and other hygiene tips.
3. A tooth healthy diet plan. Include portable healthy lunch  items and snacks in you child's lunch, including grains, milk,cheese,raw vegetables, yogurt or fruit. If your child eats in the school cafeteria, review healthy, balanced food choices with him/her before the first day of school. It is always a good idea to reduce sugary foods and soft drinks as excessive sugar can not only cause dental decay,but is also unhealthy for a young person's overall health.
4. Wearing a properly fitted mouth guard while participating in organized sports,PE classes or playground activities.

Good luck to the all the kids in the El Segundo School district who went back to school this week.Remember if you take care of your teeth now, they will return the favor for a lifetime!