Back to school is a good time to plan a children's dental check-up. September means getting back to schedules, classes and extracurricular activities, but also getting back to habits that may have become lax during the holidays, such as eating well or brushing your teeth.
In Asistencia Dental Plus, dental clinic in Valencia, We recommend taking advantage of the back-to-school period to schedule a dental check-up for your child. Even if the child isn't experiencing pain or any visible discomfort, this visit allows us to check the condition of their teeth and gums, detect any cavities, assess the eruption of teeth, and review any habits that may influence the development of their mouth.
Starting the school year with your smile checked helps prevent problems and avoids a small alteration from interfering with classes, meals, or rest.
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Why is September a good time for a child's dental check-up?
Many habits change during the summer. Children tend to eat out more often, increase their consumption of ice cream, soft drinks, and snacks, and sometimes brushing their teeth becomes less regular.
This doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem, but it can increase plaque buildup and the risk of cavities. Furthermore, several months can be enough for an initial lesion to develop without causing any symptoms.
A dental check-up before the start of the school year allows you to resume preventative care and ensure everything is ready for the coming months. It also makes it easier to plan any follow-up appointments without waiting for pain, inflammation, or a dental emergency to occur.
What is checked when going back to school?
A children's dental checkup is not just about looking for cavities. Children's mouths are constantly evolving and require an assessment tailored to each stage of growth.
During the visit we can check different aspects.
The presence of cavities
Childhood cavities don't always cause pain from the start. Some begin as small alterations in the enamel and can go unnoticed by the family, especially when they appear between the teeth or in the back of the mouth.
Detecting them in their initial stages allows action to be taken before the lesion progresses and affects deeper layers of the tooth.
Even if it's a baby tooth, a cavity should be evaluated. Baby teeth help children chew, speak properly, and maintain the space needed for permanent teeth.
Oral hygiene
During the examination, it is also observed whether the brushing is effective and if there are areas where more plaque accumulates.
Sometimes a child brushes their teeth every day, but they don't yet have the dexterity to reach all surfaces properly. In other cases, the eruption of new teeth or the use of braces can make hygiene more difficult.
The visit allows for correcting brushing technique and offering the family specific guidelines on toothpaste, the appropriate amount, frequency, or the need for supervision according to age.
The replacement of baby teeth
Each child follows their own pace of tooth eruption. That's why not all children lose their baby teeth or develop their permanent teeth at exactly the same age.
However, it's important to check that the permanent teeth are erupting properly. A pediatric dentist can assess whether the permanent teeth are coming in the expected position, if there is enough space, or if any baby teeth are remaining in the mouth longer than anticipated.
It is also advisable to consult a dentist when a permanent tooth appears behind a baby tooth, when there is a noticeable difference between both sides of the mouth, or when a tooth takes too long to erupt after the primary tooth has been lost.
The development of the bite
The growth of the jaws and the position of the teeth are also part of the childhood check-up.
Some dental issues, such as crossbite, crowding, narrow palate, or lack of space, can be detected before development is complete. This doesn't mean that all children need to start treatment immediately, but it does allow doctors to decide whether monitoring or an evaluation is appropriate. children's orthodontics.
Early detection helps to choose the most appropriate time to act when it is really necessary.
Oral habits
Some habits maintained over time can influence the development of the mouth and the position of the teeth.
During the review, it is advisable to assess aspects such as:
- Prolonged use of a pacifier.
- Thumb sucking.
- Habitual breathing through the mouth.
- The interposition of the tongue when swallowing.
- Frequent biting of objects or nails.
- Bruxism or teeth grinding.
- Frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks.
The family may not associate these habits with oral health. Identifying them allows for age-appropriate guidance and assessment of whether follow-up is needed.
Signs that warrant a dental check-up
Although regular checkups are recommended even without symptoms, there are some signs that should be checked:
- Pain or sensitivity when eating.
- White, yellow, brown or black spots on the teeth.
- Swollen or bleeding gums during brushing.
- Persistent bad breath.
- Permanent teeth that seem to take too long to come in.
- Premature loss of a baby tooth.
- Difficulty biting or chewing.
- Visible wear of the teeth.
- Frequent mouth breathing.
- Recent blows to the mouth.
- Appearance of teeth in unusual positions.
There's no need to wait until the child complains. Many childhood oral health problems develop without any discomfort during their early stages.
Re-establish a good hygiene routine
The return to school can also be used to establish a simple and consistent routine.
It is recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste appropriate for your age. Brushing at night is especially important and should be done calmly, reaching all tooth surfaces.
Depending on the child's age and ability, adult help or supervision may be necessary. It's also advisable to limit the frequency of sugary drinks and prevent the child from going to bed after consuming milk, juice, or other beverages without brushing their teeth.
Rather than seeking a perfect technique from day one, the goal is to create habits that can be maintained throughout the course.
A timely check-up helps prevent
Having a child's dental check-up in September doesn't necessarily mean treatment will be needed. In many cases, the visit serves to confirm that the mouth is healthy, reinforce good hygiene, and schedule the next appointment.
In other cases, it allows for the detection of early-stage cavities, the correction of bite problems, or the monitoring of an unerupted tooth. Acting early usually facilitates a simpler approach and helps prevent discomfort during the school year.
At Asistencia Dental Plus we offer a service of Pediatric dentistry in Valencia aimed at preventing, supporting the growth of the mouth and ensuring that children experience their check-ups with peace of mind and confidence.
Furthermore, we work under rigorous clinical protocols and have the Certificate of Dental Excellence DentalQuality, a recognition that endorses our commitment to quality, prevention and personalized attention.
You can call us at 963 16 26 56, write to us via WhatsApp at 658 788 759 o Request your appointment through our contact page.
Going back to school is a great time to get back into routines, prevent problems, and start the school year with a healthy, checked smile.
