Your University Student is Back for the Summer! But How are Their Teeth?

Part of the experience of leaving for university is learning how to take care of oneself, both physically and mentally. As such, proud parents should have full faith that their little grown-ups are scheduling their own dental appointments and checkups, right? Any university student can tell you this sentiment couldn’t be further from the truth.

What Should You Expect From the Dentist?

First off, there’s no need to fear a return to the dentist’s office if you haven’t been in a while! Ironically enough, the long time gap between now and the last visit can be quite discouraging for many people. However, dropping in to say hi is only going to help you in the long run, and your teeth will thank you for it. Aim to arrive slightly earlier than your scheduled appointment in order to handle any paperwork that may have come up. Your university student may have a few questions or concerns of their own that they might wish to discuss.

What Shape are Their Teeth In?

If your university student hasn’t been to see a dentist in a long while, they likely have plenty of plaque buildup in and around their teeth. A cleaning may take longer than anticipated if this turns out to be the case, Furthermore, your dentist will likely want to perform some routine tests and checkups to screen for early signs of cavities, tooth decay, or gum disease. A lot will be dependent on your student’s brushing habits, and it’s important to catch any warning signs early.

Why Bother?

Your university student is all grown up, and can take care of themselves! Why should you be bothering at all to take them in to the dentist when this is something that they should be doing themselves? As some parents may recall, university life is a stressful and busy time, and it can be challenging to keep up on the essentials of life. For many students, a dental checkup is far down on their list of priorities, and it is very likely they may never reach it. Even a simple reminder from parents can help encourage students to stop putting off that dental appointment. If you’re willing to schedule and take them in, they are sure to appreciate it even more!

University is not easy on the mind or the teeth, and an exhausted student may forget about the latter! Here at Centennial Smiles, teeth are always at the forefront of our minds, and we’re always looking to help out our busy clients. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to set up an appointment today!