Dental Tips To Keep In Mind As Your Child Goes Off To College

Going off to college is an exciting time in a person's life, and you and your child likely have a long list of things to tackle before you are ready to pull up to the dormitory and help them move in. But while focusing on everything there is to do like packing and unpacking, don't forget to include the right dental care items as you put together a dorm room survival kit. If you want your child to maintain their solid dental health now that they are officially leaving the nest, you can at least attempt to get them off on the right foot by providing some of the following advice.

Create a Dental Kit to Keep Everything Organized

It's amazing how many things can go missing in a dorm room, especially considering how small many of them are. The moment your college student loses their dental floss or toothbrush is the moment they might start slacking on their oral care routine, at least for a little while. You can help them stay organized by helping create a toiletry kit that will include all of the dental care items they might need while they are away at school. Consider packing an extra toothbrush, plenty of floss or floss picks and a mouthwash that includes fluoride to help offer protection against cavities and gingivitis. Creating a bathroom bag for your kid to take with them won't just keep them on the right path, it'll likely also be welcome as it's one less thing your child will have to worry about as they prepare to leave.

Party and Chow Down Responsibly

Most college students will pull at least a couple all-nighters of either studying or partying at some point during the semester. It's also likely there will be plenty of sugary snack foods or beverages available during this time, and in some cases, perhaps your student is also going to enjoy an adult beverage or two. Whether it's soda pop, beer, or just potato chips, all of these things have sugars and acids in them that can wreck havoc on the teeth. You can't expect your student to be totally responsible at all times, but try to encourage them to brush when they get back to the dorm.

Schedule an Appointment Before They Leave

You don't want your child coming down with a toothache during the first week or even the first month of school. This is especially true if college is far away from home, as it could be a huge pain to try and find another dentist while they are away at school. For best results, contact your local family or general dentistry and schedule a check up right before you kid leaves. You can get any fillings or other work done before they head to campus, and then they will hopefully be just fine in the dental health department until at least winter break. 

For more information, contact local professionals like those found at Dr. Jon Douglas Lesan, DDS, RpH, PA.


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