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New shoes? Check. Backpack? Check.
Approximately 47 pencils that will somehow disappear before October? Check.
But what about your child’s teeth?
But back-to-school can be a hectic time for families. With the added responsibilities of school supplies, new routines, lunches, and remembering what day it is (library day), dental health can easily be pushed aside.
The good news? Taking care of your child’s smile doesn’t require additional work on top of your full load. Follow this easy back-to-school dental checklist with tips for parents to help get the school year off to a happy, healthy start!
1. Get That Dental Checkup Off the List
When your child is due for a visit to the dentist, the start of the school year is a good time to make a trip to the dentist.
Your child’s dental team can regularly monitor your child’s teeth and gums, look for early signs of issues, and prevent small concerns from evolving into larger ones.
The Canadian Dental Association recommends a child’s first dental evaluation at 6 months after their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday. After that, regular dental care helps to start good habits at a young age.
Bonus: if you have a dental problem, it doesn’t necessarily result in a toothache when school starts.
Since no one wants to hear the school office calling,
“My kid complains that his/her tooth hurts.”
In particular, on a Friday at 2:47.
2. Get Back Into a Solid Brushing Routine
Summer is wonderful. Routine? Not always, though. Brushing your teeth can be somewhat flexible when it comes to late nights, sleepovers, camping trips or vacations.
It’s an ideal time to reset as we head back to school. Try to brush daily, twice a day – in the morning and at night. Younger children will require some parental assistance for them to ensure all those little teeth are being cleaned – not just the two front teeth they can see in the mirror.
The Canadian Dental Association says young children can’t brush their teeth well and suggests that parents assist them while they’re learning to do it properly.
The following is a simple procedure:
Wake up → breakfast → brush → school
and
PJs → brush teeth → read a story → put in bed
As a parent myself, hear me out: the less negotiations… THE BETTER.
3. Take a Look at What’s Going Into the Lunchbox
We don’t want to ruin fruit snacks forever. However, exposure of food and drinks to teeth can occur throughout the school day, including during lunch and snack time.
If you can, plan lunches around the following foods:
- Cheese and yogurt
- Fresh vegetables
- Fresh fruit
- Whole-grain foods
- Protein-rich snacks
- Water
Just remember sugar isn’t just in candy. Sweets, juice, sports drinks, and sticky snacks or sweet granola bars can all lead to repeated sweets.
It’s not necessary to make the most nutritious lunch box of the world! Just aim to make water the normal drink and sugary drinks a treat.
4. Check Their Toothbrush
When did you last inspect your child’s toothbrush?
When the bristles look like they’ve come out of a Saskatchewan windstorm, it may be time to replace them. The start of school is a convenient time to inspect toothbrushes and replace worn-out ones.
Bonus points if you allow your child to choose their own toothbrush.
Dinosaurs? Perfect. Unicorns? Excellent.
A toothbrush with a cartoon character who you’ve heard speak for about 600 hours this summer?
Also acceptable. We’ll take the win if they’re really excited about using it.
5. Don’t Ignore Little Complaints
Children don’t always communicate their dental pain well.
When the lower left primary molar is the one that is sensitive, you will likely be told: “My tooth feels weird.”
If your child begins to talk about:
- Tooth pain
- Pain while chewing
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Sore gums
- A damaged, chipped or compromised tooth
- Occurrence of a discoloured or coloured area of a tooth
So it’s better to get it checked and find it’s not a big deal than to wait and see if it is.
6. Protect Teeth During School Sports
Soccer. Hockey. Basketball. Football. Gym class.
Children are on the go — and teeth, well, they don’t exactly have the best ability to avoid elbows.
If your child is involved in a sport or activity that puts him or her in danger of striking the face or mouth, ask your dentist if a mouthguard should be used.
A small piece of equipment that can make a huge difference when it gets rather competitive.
7. Make Dental Visits Feel Normal
The most important thing that parents can do is to help make dental visits part of their child’s normal routine.
Aim for positive and straightforward talks. Instead of:
“No, it’s okay, it will not hurt.”
Try:
The dentist will check the condition of your teeth and count them.
Children’s techniques to help them feel more at ease include distraction and gradual familiarization, positive reinforcement, and explaining and showing before doing.
The more it becomes familiar, the less mysterious it is.
Less mystery = less worry, for many children.
Your 30-Second Back-to-School Dental Checklist
Before everyone heads back to class:
✅ Dental visit up to date
✅ Fresh toothbrush
✅ Morning and bedtime brushing routine
✅ Water bottle ready
✅ Tooth-friendly lunch options
✅ Mouthguard if needed
✅ No ignored toothaches
That’s it. No colour-coded spreadsheet required.
Start the School Year With a Healthy Smile
The start of school is already busy enough! We want to make it easy to provide care to your child’s smile at The Little Tooth.
Our staff is dedicated to helping children have positive experiences with their dentists and parents feel good about their child’s dental health.
With little ones due for a visit, any back-to-school period is an ideal time to get it done.
Healthy teeth. Happy kids. Parent-friendly, one less thing to worry about.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should my child visit the dentist?
The right schedule can depend on your child’s individual oral health needs and risk factors. Your dentist can recommend the appropriate interval. The Canadian Dental Association notes that, in many cases, an exam about every six months allows dentists to identify small problems early.
When should my child first see a dentist?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends an assessment within six months after the first tooth erupts or by the child’s first birthday.
Should parents still brush their child’s teeth?
Yes. Young children generally need help brushing effectively. As children become more independent, parents should continue supervising and checking that they’re cleaning their teeth thoroughly.
What if my child is nervous about visiting the dentist?
That’s common. Keep your language positive, avoid sharing scary dental stories and let the dental team know your child is nervous. Pediatric dental teams can use age-appropriate approaches such as tell-show-do, positive reinforcement, distraction and desensitization to help children become comfortable.
We’re looking for a children’s dentist in Saskatoon. What should we look for?
Look for a dental environment designed to help children feel comfortable, a team experienced with young patients, and an approach that includes parents in their child’s dental care. At The Little Tooth, creating positive dental experiences for kids is at the centre of what we do.
