Summer is all about breaking from the usual routine. Between vacations, camps, sleepovers, later bedtimes, road trips, and plenty of summer treats, even the best habits can become a little less consistent—including your family’s oral hygiene routine.
As school starts and everyone settles back into a more predictable schedule, September is a great time to reset your family’s dental habits. A few simple changes can help children and adults get back on track and make healthy smiles part of the everyday routine.
Here are some easy ways to get started.
Get Back to Brushing Twice a Day
During busy summer days and late nights, brushing can sometimes become rushed—or occasionally forgotten altogether.
As your family gets back into its school and work routine, make brushing twice a day a non-negotiable part of the morning and bedtime schedule.
The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste. For younger children, parents may need to supervise or assist to make sure they’re brushing thoroughly and using the appropriate amount of toothpaste.
One simple trick? Connect brushing with something your family already does every day. In the morning, brush after breakfast or before heading out the door. At night, make brushing part of the bedtime routine along with changing into pajamas and getting ready for the next day.
Consistency can make healthy habits much easier to maintain.
Don’t Forget About Flossing
Brushing is essential, but your toothbrush can’t effectively clean every surface between your teeth.
Cleaning between the teeth helps remove plaque and food particles from areas that toothbrush bristles may not reach. As you’re resetting your family’s routine, make interdental cleaning part of the daily schedule too.
Traditional dental floss works well for many people, but it isn’t the only option. Depending on your family’s individual dental needs, floss picks, interdental brushes, or other cleaning tools may be helpful.
If you’re unsure which option is best for you or your child, ask your dental team for recommendations at your next visit.
Give School Snacks a Smile-Friendly Makeover
Summer often means ice cream, frozen treats, sports drinks, sodas, and snacks on the go. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying an occasional treat, but frequent exposure to sugary foods and drinks can increase the risk of tooth decay.
The beginning of the school year is a perfect opportunity to rethink what’s going into lunchboxes and after-school snack bags.
Consider options such as:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Cheese
- Plain or lower-sugar yogurt
- Nuts and seeds when age- and school-appropriate
- Whole-grain crackers
- Water instead of sugary beverages
It’s not necessary to eliminate every sweet treat. Instead, focus on balance and how frequently teeth are exposed to sugar throughout the day.
Make Water the Go-To Drink
Water is one of the easiest smile-friendly choices you can make.
Encourage children to bring a refillable water bottle to school when permitted and make water the primary beverage at home.
Sports drinks, flavored beverages, juices, and sodas can contain significant amounts of sugar and may also be acidic. If your child participates in fall sports, water is generally a good everyday choice for staying hydrated, with individual hydration needs varying depending on activity and other factors.
Making water easily accessible can help the whole family reach for it more often.
Create a Family Dental Station
If mornings tend to be chaotic, a little organization can make a big difference.
Create a designated area in the bathroom where everyone has easy access to their toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, floss, and any other recommended oral hygiene products.
For younger children, consider making brushing more engaging by using a two-minute timer, playing a favorite song, or creating a simple morning and nighttime routine chart.
When healthy habits are convenient, they’re often easier to maintain.
Check Your Toothbrushes
While you’re resetting everyone’s routine, take a look at the family’s toothbrushes.
If the bristles are visibly frayed or worn, it may be time for a replacement. Toothbrushes and electric toothbrush heads should generally be replaced every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become worn.
Back-to-school season can be an easy reminder to check everyone’s toothbrush and stock up on oral hygiene essentials for the months ahead.
Protect Smiles During Fall Sports
Fall means football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, and many other activities are back in full swing.
If your child participates in a sport where dental injuries are possible, ask your dentist whether a mouthguard is recommended.
A properly fitting mouthguard can help protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, and other oral structures from injury during athletic activities.
And remember: if a permanent tooth is knocked out during practice or a game, it’s considered a dental emergency. Contact your dentist immediately.
Get Dental Appointments Back on the Calendar
Between vacations and changing schedules, it’s easy for routine dental visits to get pushed aside during summer.
As you’re filling the family calendar with school events, practices, meetings, and activities, check when everyone last visited the dentist.
Regular dental examinations and professional cleanings are an important part of preventive care. They give your dental team an opportunity to monitor your oral health, remove plaque and tartar buildup, and identify potential problems that may not yet be causing noticeable symptoms.
Your dentist can recommend an appropriate schedule based on each family member’s individual oral health needs.
Make Oral Health a Family Habit
Children often learn by watching the adults around them. When they see parents prioritizing brushing, flossing, healthy food choices, and regular dental care, those behaviors can become a normal part of everyday life.
Instead of treating oral hygiene like another chore, make it something the whole family does together.
Brush alongside younger children. Keep everyone’s dental supplies organized. Talk positively about dental visits. And celebrate when kids begin taking more responsibility for caring for their own teeth.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s consistency.
Start the School Year With Healthy Smiles
Getting back into a routine after summer takes time. Between early mornings, homework, sports, activities, and busy evenings, your family’s schedule can fill up quickly.
Fortunately, maintaining good oral health doesn’t have to be complicated.
Brushing twice a day, cleaning between the teeth, choosing balanced snacks, drinking plenty of water, protecting teeth during sports, and keeping up with regular dental visits can go a long way toward maintaining healthy smiles throughout the school year.
At Corbin Dental, we’re here to help every member of your family establish healthy dental habits that can last well beyond the back-to-school season.
Schedule Your Dental Checkup at Corbin Dental
If it’s been a while since your family’s last dental visit, now is a great time to get back on schedule.
The team at Corbin Dental in Bayside, NY and Oyster Bay, NY is here to provide the care you need — quickly, safely, and comfortably. To book a consultation for any of your dental questions, contact the offices of Corbin Dental at our Bayside office at 516-604-5074 or our Oyster Bay office at 516-613-3084, or use our simple online form.
