When the first day of school arrives, you’ll want everything to go smoothly. When your son or daughter grabs his or her backpack, you’ll make sure it’s filled with the right supplies — paper, pens, pencils, notebooks, etc.

But there’s something that could spoil this day for everyone.

Poor oral health is bad for anyone, but it can cause problems that interfere with your child’s education. A recent study by the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry found that children who reported oral health problems were more likely to miss school and more likely to have low grades.

The American Dental Association also reported that children in the United States miss 51 million hours of school each year as a result of oral health problems.

You want to keep your kids in school, and you don’t want them to be distracted when they should be paying attention in class. Our team at the office of Dr. James C. Ross Family, Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry wants to help you help your children, and a great way to do that is with a back-to-school dental cleaning and exam.

If you haven’t scheduled an appointment already, you still have time before school begins for the 2017-18 school year. Call 248-697-2487 or contact us online to plan your visit to our dentist office in Novi, MI.

Why Dental Exams Are Important

In school, exams are a way to track students’ progress and understanding of a subject. In dentistry, regular checkups serve a similar purpose.

When your family visits us, our dental professionals will take a close look at your mouths. We’ll be looking closely for any signs of tooth decay or gum disease.

You would probably prefer to avoid a call from the school letting you know that your child has been complaining of a toothache. By coming to us for a dental cleaning and exam now, we can take steps to reduce your child’s risk of oral health issues or to treat any issues that may exist.

We would much rather find these small problems before you son or daughter returns to the classroom. According to data from the National Institutes of Health, 42 percent of children have a cavity between the ages of 2 and 11, and 23 percent of kids in that same age range have untreated cavities.

We know you don’t want your kids to have tooth decay, but if they do, we feel confident you don’t want to let it linger in their mouths.

A Cleaning Can Keep Your Kids Smiling

A professional dental cleaning can go a long way toward keeping your kids healthy — which means they are less likely to miss school.

During a dental cleaning at our office, we will do everything we can to make your son or daughter’s visit as comfortable as possible. We have embraced laser dentistry at our practice, in part, because it makes dental care much gentler. In fact, our lasers allow us to perform many procedures without the need for numbing or shots.

Our team will remove any plaque or tartar buildup during your kids’ cleanings. We can take X-rays to keep track of the changes taking place in your kids’ mouths. If we notice any problems, we’ll let you know what can be done to address those issues.

Earning Extra Credit

During your visit, you can also take advantage of other services that can protect your children’s smiles.

Dental sealants have proven to be a low-cost but effective way to reduce the risk of cavities. Sealants can be applied to your children’s teeth to create a barrier between the bacteria that cause tooth decay and the teeth that are most likely to develop cavities.

Fluoride treatments play a different role. When this mineral is applied to your children’s teeth, it can help to repair minor damage due to demineralization. Fluoride also has the benefit of making enamel stronger and therefore more resistant to tooth decay.

Don’t Forget Your ‘Homework’

Of course, a dental cleaning and exam at Dr. James C. Ross’s office is only part of what your family should do to keep your mouths healthy. Remember to brush and floss your teeth daily.

We want your kids to get the most out of their education. Because of that, we hope we will see you and your family soon.

To make an appointment, call 248-697-2487 or fill out our online form today.