The backpacks are coming out, the school supply lists are circulating, and August is just around the corner. Before your child heads back to the classroom, there’s one important item that often gets overlooked on the back to school checklist — a dental checkup. To help you get ready, we’ve created a Back to School Dental Checklist for Germantown Families.
At Children’s Dentistry of Germantown, we see a surge of back to school visits every August from families throughout Germantown, Gaithersburg, Clarksburg, Rockville, and Montgomery County, MD. And for good reason — it’s one of the smartest things you can do before the school year begins.
Here’s your complete back to school dental checklist for 2026.
✅ 1. Schedule a Dental Checkup and Cleaning
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends dental checkups every six months. If your child hasn’t been in since spring, now is the perfect time. A back to school checkup lets us:
- Remove plaque and tartar buildup from summer’s worth of popsicles, sports drinks, and late-night snacks
- Check for any cavities that developed over the summer
- Apply fluoride treatment to strengthen enamel before the school year
- Monitor jaw and bite development
- Identify any early orthodontic concerns before they worsen
Summer appointments tend to be easier to schedule since there’s no school to work around. Don’t wait until September — our calendar fills up fast in August!
✅ 2. Address Any Cavities Before School Starts
If we find a cavity at your back to school visit, treat it now — not later. Here’s why:
- Toothaches are distracting. A child with an untreated cavity has a hard time focusing in class
- Small cavities become big problems. A cavity that needs a simple filling today could need a root canal in six months if left untreated
- Missing school for dental appointments is disruptive. Treating everything now means fewer interruptions during the school year
At Children’s Dentistry of Germantown we offer same-day treatment — so in many cases we can do the cleaning and fill any cavities in the same visit.
✅ 3. Get a Sports Mouth Guard
If your child plays fall sports — football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, or martial arts — they need a properly fitted mouth guard before the season starts. A custom-fitted mouth guard from our office:
- Protects teeth from impact during contact sports
- Fits perfectly so your child actually wears it
- Works with braces if your child has orthodontic appliances
- Lasts the entire season and beyond
Don’t rely on a boil-and-bite store-bought guard — they offer minimal protection and most kids spit them out during games. Come in before the season starts and we’ll have a custom guard ready in about a week.
✅ 4. Check Their Toothbrush and Dental Supplies
Back to school is a great time to refresh your child’s dental supplies:
- Replace their toothbrush — toothbrushes should be replaced every 3 months or after any illness
- Stock up on fluoride toothpaste — make sure it has the ADA seal of acceptance
- Get floss picks — easier for kids than traditional floss, especially for school-age children
- Consider a travel toothbrush — for kids in middle and high school who eat lunch at school
A new back to school toothbrush can actually be a fun motivator for younger kids — let them pick their own color or character!
✅ 5. Review Lunch Box Dental Health
What your child eats at school every day has a direct impact on their dental health. As you plan school lunches, keep these tips in mind:
Tooth-friendly lunch options:
- Cheese and yogurt — high in calcium, neutralize acids
- Crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery — natural teeth cleaners
- Water — the best drink for teeth, especially fluoridated tap water
- Apples — stimulate saliva production which protects enamel
Limit these:
- Fruit juice and sports drinks — high in sugar and acid even when they seem “healthy”
- Gummy snacks and fruit roll-ups — stick to teeth and feed cavity-causing bacteria
- Crackers and chips — break down into sugars that linger on teeth
✅ 6. Establish a Morning and Evening Routine
Summer tends to throw dental routines off track. Before school starts, re-establish these habits:
- Brush for 2 minutes twice a day — morning and before bed
- Floss once a day — bedtime is best
- Use fluoride toothpaste — a pea-sized amount for children under 6, a full strip for older kids
- No eating or drinking after brushing at night — even juice or milk before bed can cause cavities
For younger children, brushing is a supervised activity until at least age 7 or 8. Make it fun — play a 2-minute song or use a timer app.
✅ 7. Check School Health Requirements
Many schools and sports programs in Montgomery County require proof of a dental exam as part of enrollment or sports participation requirements. Check with your child’s school to see if a dental certificate is needed — we can provide documentation of your child’s dental visit.
Book Your Back to School Dental Visit Today
Don’t wait until August to call — our schedule fills up fast this time of year. Children’s Dentistry of Germantown is open Monday and Tuesday 9am–5pm, Wednesday 1pm–7pm, and Thursday and Friday 9am–5pm. Walk-ins are always welcome and we accept most insurance plans.
Call us at (301) 540-5757 or book your appointment online today.
We serve families throughout Germantown, Gaithersburg, Clarksburg, Rockville, Damascus, and all of Montgomery County, MD. Let’s get those smiles ready for a great school year! 🎒🦷
