August is here, which means that if you’re a student you’re probably gearing up to be back in an exam mindset. However, there’s more than just your grades to think about. If you want to be able to feel your best and perform at school, you may want to think a little bit about acing your next dental exam as well.
Thankfully, doing that should be much easier than doing well on the SATs. Here are a few things you can do to make sure that your next dental exam goes as well as possible.
Eat More Tooth-Healthy Foods
If you have some control over what you bring to school for lunch, either because you pack yours or you buy it at school, you may want to avoid some foods that could cause problems for your teeth. Instead of PB&J, which is packed with sugar, you may go for another type of sandwich. You may also want to try drinking milk, which is readily available in most cafeterias. The calcium in milk strengthens the teeth, especially if it’s been fortified with vitamin D.
Focus On Your Dental Hygiene
Even if your life is a lot busier now that school is over, you should still try and find time to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Most people find it easiest to do this just after waking up and before going to bed, but if you often find yourself waking up late and rushing out of the house you may want to come up with a more convenient routine.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter when you brush, so whatever works for you is perfectly fine. The important thing is consistency.
Make Use of your Oral Appliance
Often, dentists will supply you with an oral appliance to help improve your long-term oral health. A retainer is a good example—after braces, wearing one each night can keep your teeth from moving out of place.
That said, if you’re waking up early and going to bed late (which can be tempting when school rolls around) you may start to neglect your oral appliance. If you want your next dental exam to go as well as possible, you should be sure to use all the tools that your dentist gives you to their fullest extent.
About the Author
Dr. Michael C. Byars is a dentist who prides himself on being able to offer exceptional and complete dental care, making good use of the latest techniques and technology in oral medicine. Dr. Byars received his degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. In the interest of continuing his education, he is a member of the Greater Kansas City Dental Society, the Missouri Dental Association, and SPEAR Education.
If you have any questions about a dental exam, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (816) 781-8222.