DID YOU KNOW THAT the most common chronic disease in children is tooth decay? According to the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 42 percent of children between ages two and 11 get tooth decay in their baby teeth, and it doesn’t stop there, with 59 percent of kids between 12 and 19 having at least one cavity.

These statistics are alarming, but can be prevented with good oral health habits and routine dental appointments.

Why Schedule A Back-To-School Dental Appointment?

Prevention is our number one goal and if you wait until there’s an obvious problem, it’ll take more extensive (and expensive) treatment to fix tooth decay. Don’t wait until it hurts, teeth won’t start to hurt until decay has reached the dental pulp, so bring your children in for an appointment before it can get that far.

What To Expect At Our Office

All About You Dental Care in Geneva, IL # one goal is to be sure your child feels comfortable in our office. Back-to-school check ups include x-rays, a teeth cleaning and dental exam. Dentist Stephen Lavrisa sees children from age 2 through high school. No matter what age bracket your child is in, Dr. Stephen Lavrisa’s experience for over 25 years, most of which has all been here in Geneva, Illinois, enables him to make sure all their dental needs are met. Included with the cleaning is a fluoride treatment which helps to prevent decay. Our dental hygienists are excellent dental educators and partner with your child to make sure proper brushing and flossing techniques are in place.

What you Can Do For Your Child’s Teeth At Home

Part of a good check up and oral health are the types of foods you eat. Some of the healthy snacks would include fruits and vegetables, cheese, dairy products and water. Foods to avoid would be those with high sugar content which includes candy, processed foods and sugary drinks such as soda and Gatorade. Parents play a huge role in encouraging children to have good hygiene habits although it can be exhausting at time. The technology age helps us with fun dental apps that children can use and encourage them to keep brushing. Timers at home help to ensure they are brushing for 2 minutes. Another good way to monitor brushing habits is disclosing tablets which will show the child and parent where plaque gets left behind.

 Here’s a few tips to keep your child’s oral hygiene on track in between appointments:

We’ll See You Soon!

Make sure your kids start off their school year right: with healthy teeth and the confidence to share their smile with new friends and teachers. Call now to schedule your child’s back-to-school dental examination!

Wishing your kids a mouth-healthy year at school!