Summer vacation is almost at an end, and it’s almost time for your children to head back to class. There are a lot of things you’ll need to take care of before the new school year begins – buying fall clothes, getting new supplies – but if you haven’t seen the children’s dentist in Greenfield during the break yet, now could be your last, best chance to take advantage of a convenient opportunity!
The Advantages of Taking Your Child to the Dentist During the Summer
It’s important to have regular checkups to make sure your child is in good health, of course, but making time for those appointments can be challenging during the school year. Pulling your child out of class means they could be missing important lessons and in-class assignments that they’ll have to make up later. It’s better to see the dentist during the break when there aren’t any schedule conflicts to worry about. (Plus, the lack of school-related stress might help your child have a more positive attitude about their appointments.)
Summer visits are more convenient for parents as well. Taking your child to the dentist means taking time off work. Ideally, you could have these appointments done early in the morning or late in the afternoon, but those time slots tend to be a lot harder to get during the school year. Your dentist’s schedule is likely to be more flexible during the summer, making it easier to find a time that works for everyone.
If your child has been consuming a lot more sugar than usual during the break (in the form of candy, soda, popsicles and other summer treats), it’s especially important to have an appointment done as soon as possible. That way, potential oral health problems can be found and corrected quickly before they require more extensive treatment.
Why Dental Checkups are Important
If the plaque on your child’s teeth is left alone for too long, it’ll start to eat through the enamel. Eventually, the bacteria will reach the pulp and cause a serious toothache; at that point, a root canal or extraction might be required. Similarly, if your child’s gums become infected, it can result in a lot of pain or even tooth loss.
Your child can protect themselves from these issues by brushing and flossing regularly, of course, but there are many spots in the mouth they can miss without realizing it; they might also have trouble cleaning the molars near the back of the mouth. The dentist in Greenfield can perform a thorough cleaning; they can also find cavities and gum disease in their earliest, easier-to-treat stages.
Your child should normally see the dentist at least twice a year. If it’s been more than six months since their last visit, that’s all the more reason to put a dental checkup on your back-to-school checklist.
About the Practice
At BGH Dental, three highly trained dentists with decades of experience combine their talents to meet almost all of your dental needs. Patients of all ages are welcome; in particular, younger patients can receive fluoride treatments and dental sealants for added protection against cavities. To schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (413) 772-0842.