Back-to-School Checklist for Your Child’s Dental Health

Prepping for back-to-school? Make sure you also prioritize your child’s dental health before they head back to class. Untreated dental problems can lead to missed school days and impact a child’s ability to eat, speak, concentrate and develop language skills.¹ A healthy smile also supports their confidence, ability to focus and overall well-being in the classroom.¹

Start the school year with these tips for managing your child’s dental health as they get ready to go back to school.

1. Schedule a Dental Checkup Before School Starts

The summer months are the ideal time to schedule your child’s back-to-school dental checkup. Some states even require a dental exam before children enter certain grade levels, often kindergarten, second or sixth grade.¹ Check your school district’s requirements to make sure you have the necessary forms for your dentist’s signature.

If it’s been more than six months since your child has seen the dentist, now’s the time to get back on track. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit the dentist by age 1, or upon their first tooth appearing, with regular checkups every six months.² This helps children be comfortable with routine cleanings and exams as they grow older.

Ask your dentist about fluoride treatments and dental sealants. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel, while sealants provide a protective barrier on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where kids may be more likely to develop decay. These preventive measures are especially helpful for school-age children, who may be more prone to snacking and may not always brush perfectly. Your dentist can help evaluate if either treatment is right for your child.³

2. Create Dental Kits for Home and on the Go

Good dental habits at home and on the go help keep your child’s teeth healthy, no matter where their day takes them. To support this, assemble a dental care kit for home that includes items like:⁴

• A soft-bristled toothbrush, appropriately sized for your child’s age

• Dental floss or floss picks

• Dental wax for kids with braces

• Fluoride toothpaste

• Mouthwash or cavity rinse

• Rinsing cup

Store the kit in a clean, easily accessible spot to make brushing and flossing a one-stop shop for maintaining good oral hygiene.

For busy school days, help your child pack a portable dental kit to keep in their backpack. The kit should:

• Be especially helpful for kids with braces or those who snack frequently

• Include travel-sized versions of essential dental care items

• Utilize a ventilated case or bag to keep supplies clean and organized

Additionally, if the school allows it, encourage your child to brush after lunch or snacks to prevent plaque buildup and freshen breath.

Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed or curled at the edges. It’s also a good precaution to replace your child’s toothbrush after an illness or if someone else accidentally uses it to prevent the spread of bacteria and other germs.⁵

3. Pay Attention to Daily Habits and Nutrition

Make consistent brushing and flossing part of your child’s morning and bedtime routines, so it becomes an ingrained habit. Children should brush for a minimum of two minutes twice a day and floss at least once a day. For younger children, parents should use a pea-sized amount of age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste and help them brush in small, gentle circles, making sure to reach all tooth surfaces. Gently lift their upper lip to ensure they brush up to the gumline. Assist with flossing until they’re able to do it properly on their own.⁴

While brushing after lunch at school isn’t always possible, kids can still care for their teeth during the day. Encourage them to rinse with water after eating to help clear food particles and sugars. They can also use disposable flossers or toothbrushes for a quick clean after meals or sticky snacks, which can be especially helpful for kids with braces or retainers.

Nutrition plays a key role in your child’s dental health and overall development. To support healthy teeth, encourage:⁶

• A balanced diet that includes whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats and a rainbow of fruits and vegetables

• Foods high in calcium and vitamin D — milk, cheese, yogurt and nondairy options like nut or soy milk — to build strong enamel

• Tooth-friendly crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, pears, carrots, celery, broccoli and cauliflower, which stimulate saliva production and naturally help keep teeth clean

Enlist your child to work with you to make choices about what goes in their lunchbox so they’re more likely to eat it.

To support hydration:⁶

• Encourage water and milk (including dairy, nut, soy or other milk alternatives) as the best drink options throughout the day.

• Limit or avoid sugary drinks like juice boxes, sports drinks, soda or lemonade, since their high sugar and acid content can cause tooth decay over time.

4. Know How to Respond to a Dental Emergency

Accidents happen, and knowing how to respond if your child experiences a dental emergency can help you stay calm and respond quickly.⁷

A dental emergency can include situations like:

Bleeding from the mouth

If your child is bleeding from the mouth from biting their tongue or the inside of their cheek, apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze and use a compress to control swelling. Head to an emergency room if the bleeding doesn’t subside.⁷

Cracked or chipped tooth

For chipped teeth, rinse the mouth with warm water and apply a compress to reduce swelling. If possible, save the broken tooth fragments and contact your child’s dentist for emergency care.⁷

Injury to the jaw

If your child experiences a jaw injury causing pain, swelling, difficulty opening their mouth or misalignment, seek immediate medical or dental care to assess for fractures or dislocation.

Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth

If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, handle it by the crown (not the root), gently rinse it with water and try to place it back in the socket or store it in milk until you can see a dentist, ideally immediately.⁷

Loose dental filling

If your child has a loose or lost dental filling, rinse their mouth gently with warm water and encourage them to avoid chewing on the affected side. Contact your dentist promptly to schedule a repair to prevent further damage or discomfort.⁷

Objects stuck between teeth

Kids are constantly putting things in their mouths. If something becomes lodged between your child’s teeth, you can use dental floss to gently remove it but do not use sharp or pointed objects, which can damage your child’s gums or tissue.⁷

Severe toothache

A toothache may be mild discomfort due to food particles irritating your child’s gum, a developing cavity or a more serious condition like an abscess. Have your child rinse with salt water and floss to remove any food debris. If the pain doesn’t go away, worsens or you can see a pimple-like swelling at the gumline, contact your dentist for urgent care.⁷

To help prevent dental emergencies, be sure your child wears a properly fitted mouthguard during sports, avoids chewing hard objects like candies, ice or pens and maintains regular dental visits. Not all dental pain is an emergency, but listen to your child if they complain frequently of tooth or mouth pain and consult with your dentist accordingly.⁷

5. Motivate Your Child’s Healthy Habits

Encouraging good dental habits, especially in young children, can feel like a daily struggle. With some creativity and the right tools, it’s possible to get your kids excited about brushing and flossing.

Let your child choose a toothbrush in their favorite color or with a beloved cartoon character and a flavored toothpaste that’s American Dental Association (ADA)-approved to make brushing more enjoyable.⁴ You can use music and dance to turn brushing into a game by setting a two-minute timer and encouraging them to brush to the beat.⁸ You might also try free brushing apps that keep kids entertained while they brush.

Some kids respond to brushing charts that track their progress with stickers.⁸ Celebrate streaks with small prizes or other rewards like extra bedtime stories.⁸ Or, ignite their spirit of competition and turn dental care into a family competition: Who can brush the most days in a row? Who can swish mouthwash the longest without laughing? Build positive associations with oral hygiene by using silly reminders, colorful floss or character rinse cups. Anything that makes dental routines feel more like playtime and less like a chore can help to reinforce those good habits.

Keep Their Smile Strong All Year Long

As you get ready for your child’s return to school, don’t overlook their dental health and the role it plays in their overall well-being. Regular checkups, daily brushing and flossing, healthy nutrition and the right protection during sports or other activities can help prevent dental issues before they start. Prepare now, and they’ll have a strong, confident smile for those first-day-of-school photos.

Dental Financing With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular dental checkups are important to help prevent, identify and treat dental problems before they become more advanced. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dental exams, cosmetic dental procedures and other costs that insurance doesn't cover — to help you keep your pearly whites bright and healthy.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist near you that accepts CareCredit. Make the most of your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.