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Back-to-School Checklist: Dental Health Edition

 

As summer winds down and routines begin to shift, back-to-school season is the perfect time to reset healthy habits — including dental care.

New schedules, packed lunches, sports practices, and earlier mornings can all impact oral health. A little preparation now helps prevent surprises later in the school year.

 

Schedule Preventative Care

Before the school calendar fills up, consider scheduling routine cleanings and exams. Preventative visits h

elp identify small concerns before they become larger interruptions during the busy months ahead.

Back-to-school appointments allow families to:

  • Start the year with a healthy baseline
     • Address sensitivity or discomfort early
     • Check on orthodontic development if needed

Prevention always works 

best when it is proactive.

 

Refresh Daily Routines

Summer often means relaxed schedules. August is a great time to reset morning and evening habits.

As school begins, 

focus on:

  • Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
     • Flossing consistently
     • Replacing worn toothbrushes
     • Creating a simple, predictable bedtime routine
  •  

Consistency during the week makes a noticeable difference over time.

 

Pack Smart Lunches and Snacks

Frequent snacking throughout the school day can increase cavity risk, especially when sugary or sticky foo

ds linger on teeth.

Consider balancing convenience with options that support oral health, such as:

  • Cheese and yogurt
     • Nuts (when school guidelines allow)
     • Fresh fruits and vegetables
     • Plenty of wate
    r

Encouraging children to drink water between snacks can help rinse away lingering sugars and acids.

 

Prepare for Sports and Activities

Fall sports often begin soon after school starts. If your child participates in athletics, a properly fitted mouthguard can protect against dental injuries.

A simple step like protective gear can prevent unexpected emergencies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back-to-school season is about setting your child up for success — academically and physically. Oral health is part of that foundation.

At Northwest Dental Center, we believe prevention and education go hand in hand. If you would like to schedule a back-to-school visit or have questions about your child’s dental development, we are 

always happy to help.

A healthy school year starts with a healthy smile.

Categories

Dr. Laura Lan

Dr. Laura will be in our office over the next couple of months. Dr. Laura Lan grew up in Los Angeles, California. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Davis. Dr. Laura made her way out to the Midwest to attend The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.

In her free time, Dr. Laura enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, and practicing yoga.

FUN FACT… Laura was a classmate of Dr. Rachel’s at Ohio State, and while Fara is a year ahead of Laura and Rachel, she is a close friend of Fara’s from dental school.

Steve M. Jones, D.D.S.

Senior Dentist Emeritus

Dr. Steven M. Jones is a graduate of Shawnee High School. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he received his B.A. in Microbiology in 1986. Four years later he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree (D.D.S.) from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Dr. Jones entered private practice in 1990 in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Jones also practiced in one of the first after hours dental emergency clinics in the country. After several years of private practice, he returned to his hometown of Lima, Ohio. Dr. Jones served as a clinical instructor at the Lima Technical College Dental Hygiene School and began planning a new general practice in the Lima area. In 2002 Dr. Jones opened the newly constructed Northwest Dental Center. Dr. Jones is a member of the Ohio Dental Association, American Dental Association, Northwestern Ohio Dental Society & Academy of Contemporary Dentistry in Columbus Ohio.

Dr. Rachel Salen, D.D.S.

Dr. Rachel Salen grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania until her family moved to Quincy, Illinois where she graduated from Quincy Notre Dame high school.

She then crossed the Mississippi River to study at Saint Louis University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Classical Humanities. Her family then moved to her father’s hometown of Warren, Ohio, leading her to choose The Ohio State University College of Dentistry for her post-graduate education where she would go on to earn her Doctorate of Dental Surgery.

Dr. Salen is very excited to begin her career serving the great people of West Central Ohio.

Dr. Salen will make a great addition to our patient-centered team by providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages, including operative, prosthodontic, endodontic, and surgical treatments.

In addition to delivering great dental care, Rachel enjoys taking too many pictures of her cat, traveling across the Midwest and Northeast to visit her family and friends, and reading a good book!

Fara Hurt, D.D.S.

Dr. Fara Hurt grew up in Lima, Ohio. She is a graduate of Elida High school.

Dr. Hurt earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry. Fara worked for several years in the Columbus area, helping patients with their oral health needs and supporting patients with their periodontal care.

As a dentist, Dr. Hurt will make a great addition to our patient-centered team by providing comprehensive care for patients of all ages, including operative, prosthodontic and endodontic treatments In addition to delivering great care, Fara enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys hiking, traveling, and attending football games.

Mary Wiechart, D.M.D

Dr. Mary Wiechart is a Lima native. She is a graduate of Lima Central Catholic High School. Dr. Wiechart earned a Bachelor of Science in Nature Sciences from Xavier University. She earned a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.

Her practice includes operative, prosthodontic, endodontic and surgical treatments. In addition to delivering great care, Mary enjoys spending time with family, friends and her dog, Bella. She also enjoys baking, golfing, traveling and listening to music.

Jill A. Miller, D.D.S

Senior Dentist

Dr. Jill A Miller is an Elida native and Elida High School graduate.

She is a graduate of Ohio Northern University and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The Ohio State University in 2009.

Dr. Miller provides comprehensive care to patients of all ages and strives to make patients feel comfortable. Her goal is to make going to the dentist a pleasant experience for children and adults.

Dr. Miller has served as externship site host for Ohio Northern University and has partnered with the University of Northwestern Ohio to provide emergency dental care to student athletes.

Dr. Miller is a member of the Ohio Dental Association, American Dental Association, Northwestern Ohio Dental Society, and the Ohio State University Dental alumni society.

In her spare time, Dr. Miller volunteers in the children ministry at her church, enjoys running and spending time with her husband, Zac, and their 3 children.