Dental Care Tips for Middle School-Aged Kids

The middle school years can be challenging years for both the child and their parents. During this time, children often feel socially insecure and vulnerable. Puberty begins, and kids begin exploring their own independence. These changes can have an impact on every aspect of your child's life, including their dental health and oral hygiene habits.

So how do you encourage good dental care and set your middle schooler up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums? Start by following these tips.

Have Sealants Applied to Your Child's Teeth

Sealants are thin layers of a plastic-like substance that a dentist can apply to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of your child's molars. The sealants form a barrier between the tooth and the inside of the mouth so that sugar, bacteria, and plaque can no longer make their way into those grooves.

Sealants are really helpful for protecting against cavities when kids are still working on developing good brushing habits. For an independent-minded middle school student who may not brush as well or as often as they should, sealants can greatly decrease the risk of cavities.

If your child did not already have sealants applied to their 6-year molars, have them applied as soon as possible. When the 12-year molars erupt, your child's dentist can apply sealants to these teeth, too.

The process of having sealants applied is quick and painless. Sealants can last up to 10 years and are easy to replace if they wear out prematurely.

Consider Braces

You might worry that braces will make your child even more self-conscious during these formative years. But ultimately, if your child has misaligned teeth, straightening those teeth will help improve their confidence in the long run.

Some children can get braces when they are in middle school; others need to wait a little longer for their teeth and jaws to mature. However, this is the perfect time to schedule that first appointment with the orthodontist and get an idea of what, if any, orthodontic work your child will need in the coming years. Having a game plan for dealing with a less-than-perfect smile will help you both feel better.

Focus on Aesthetics when Insisting on Good Oral Hygiene

As your middle schooler becomes more independent and, at times a little defiant, you may feel like you're constantly having to remind them to brush and floss. If you feel like you're getting nowhere, try relating the importance of oral hygiene to their appearance. Instead of emphasizing the importance of oral hygiene to prevent cavities, emphasize the relationship between oral hygiene and white teeth.

Middle schoolers tend to be quite conscious of their appearance, and the thought of having yellow teeth may prompt them to do a better job of brushing. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist to give them brushing tips, too. Often, middle schoolers are more willing to listen to adults who are not their parents.

Encourage Healthier Food Choices

This is often the age at which kids start making more of their own food choices. If your child reaches for a lot of sugary drinks and snacks, those choices could have a lasting impact on their dental health. Here are some ways to encourage your middle schooler to choose healthier foods and drinks:

• Stock your kitchen with healthy snacks like carrot sticks, apples, and light popcorn.
• Take your kids shopping with you, and let them help you choose healthier foods to buy.
• Have them help you cook; they're more likely to try healthy meals they have helped prepare.
• Be a role model; stay away from sugary drinks and snacks yourself.

Parenting a middle schooler is not always easy. However, these formative years are an important time to focus on dental health and hygiene. Follow the tips above, and contact Joseph M. Perry, D.D.S., P.A.if you are looking for a new dentist for your child or pre-teen.