Back to School with a Smile!

It’s that time of year again! School supplies are purchased (and labeled!), new clothes are ready for those school pictures and the first day of school is upon us. We’ve put together a few tips on how to start the school year off with your best foot (and best smile) forward!

1. Be sure to start the school year with a dental exam and cleaning. Some schools require that a child entering 4K or Kindergarten have a dental exam before the year starts. Even if that is not the case, be sure your child has their preventative visit before school starts or as soon as possible. If there are any issues, you want to catch them early and not have your child experiencing dental pain while trying to focus on their school work. 
2. Put up a brushing calendar for your kids! School is all about accountability and hitting goals. A brushing calendar to monitor their daily brushing habits will fit right in. Post this in the bathroom or their bedroom and encourage them to use crayons or stickers to mark down every time they brush. If they get a full month of brushing for 2 minutes, 2 times a day, consider adding a reward for them. See one below!
3. Pack tooth-healthy lunches and snacks! It’s easy to pack processed foods in your child’s lunch because it’s quick, but remember that fresh fruits and vegetables are also quick and are a much better option for your child’s teeth and overall health. A few healthy options are: cheeses, cucumbers, apples and carrots. These will not only keep your child’s teeth healthy but also give them a great pick-me-up in the middle of the school day!

With a few simple steps you can ensure that your child starts the school year with their best smile possible! Have a great school year, everyone!

Get your Dad in for a Dental Visit this Father’s Day!

In most families, it is typical that the wife or mom will be the one to arrange doctor and dental appointments for the family. While this is a good thing, it can sometimes mean that Dad doesn’t get his appointment scheduled. So, this father’s day, why not try to help your dad take that first step towards a healthy mouth!

Usually there are a couple of reasons why dad won’t schedule his dental appointment. 

1. Time - Between work and family, there isn’t a lot of time to get in
2. Fear of Judgement - They haven’t been in a while and they are worried of what someone might think or say
3. Prioritizing themselves - Just like moms, dad’s can also tend to put other things in front of their own health at times

Why Grand Avenue Dental Care might be a good fit for your Dad (or husband)!

1. We have late hours! We are open until 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, so there is lots of time for Dad to come over after work.
2. NO Judgement! We never judge anyone who walks through our door. Just by coming, we think that you are taking your next step in improving your oral health, and we are all about that! Welcome to our office!
3. We treat each patient like a person. Each of us should take the time to take care of ourselves and we’ll be sure to encourage your dad to take care of himself. 
4. We serve cookies! (Let's be real ... sometimes we all need a nudge...) =) 

Regardless of whether your dad schedules a dental appointment or not, having a conversation with him about his oral health is a great thing to do and it shows him that you care. If you or your dad need anything, we are always happy to welcome new patients! We hope all of the dads out there have a wonderful and relaxing weekend with their families!

From all of us at Grand Avenue Dental Care, Happy Father’s Day!