Back To School

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, TOOTH DECAY in U.S. children is the most common chronic disease. In fact, by the time children begin kindergarten, 40 percent have some kind of tooth decay! Remember, just because your child’s teeth aren’t hurting—or look OK—it doesn’t necessarily mean they are OK.

During your child’s regularly scheduled visit, or during a going-back-to-school exam, Dr. Hammond, Dr. Ellis, and/or members of our team will:

• review your child’s dental and medical history
• examine your child’s teeth, jaws, and oral tissue
• take digital xrays if needed
• clean and polish your child’s teeth
• apply a fluoride, cavity prevention solution

We love the valued families that trust their oral health to our practice. And, we love each kid in those families. We love watching them grow up—they almost seem like our own sometimes! A big part of our role is to help you, their parents, monitor their health as they grow.

As a quick reminder…

1. Have your children brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Remind them to brush gently and pay special attention to their gum line.
2. Teach them the habit of flossing each day.
3. Give them healthy snack foods such as fresh fruits and veggies.
4. Limit sugary snacks & high-carb foods. The bacteria that cause tooth decay love simple sugars—especially those in treats.
5. Don’t let your children snack too often.
6. If they like to chew gum, offer sugar-free options.
7. Always talk with us if you notice any unusual changes in their oral health.

Here at Hammond & Ellis, we do everything we can to help you (and your family members and loved ones) keep beautiful smiles for life. If you have questions about your children’s health, be sure to ask us. We love talking with you about your oral health.

And don’t forget to join us on Facebook and Twitter for more discussions about your dental comfort, heatlh, and appearance. We look forward to your next visit!