Dr. Adam Harwood Urges Parents To Schedule A Back-To-School Dental Visit

One of New York City’s leading endodontists, Dr. Adam Harwood, is urging parents to teach their children to take proper care of their teeth, including an annual check-up, to avoid dental problems that cause absences during the school year.

Children with poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school because of dental issues, according to the American Dental Association. Last year alone, school-aged kids missed more than 51 million hours of education because for this reason.

Prevention and early detection of dental issues such as cavities can help avoid absences during the school year. So, Dr. Harwood suggests when you are creating your child’s back-to-school checklist – not to forget a trip to the dentist.

“If parents help their kids practice good oral hygiene, they may just save them from root canals and other more serious dental issues in the future,” said Dr. Harwood, “and they will definitely keep them healthy during the school year.”

Dr. Harwood suggests keeping these things in mind when thinking about the overall health of your child’s teeth:

·         Encourage kids to develop a routine of brushing and flossing twice a day, in the morning and at bedtime to avoid cavities in the first place. And make sure they are polite to the dentist – and brush before each appointment.

·         August is a dental specialist's busiest time, so if you can, plan ahead, and get an annual appointment instead at the beginning of summer. (Good tip for next year)

·         If your child is younger, you might want to re-familiarize them with the dentist with activity sheets about what to expect during their appointment.

·         And don’t leave the appointment without a card for next year’s visit.