By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert
It’s back-to-school season! That means buying new shoes, practicing the walk home from the bus stop, packing backpacks, and picking out the perfect first-day outfit.
Parents, how are we feeling?
Maybe a little emotional. Maybe a little overwhelmed. Whether this is your first rodeo or you’re a seasoned veteran, you’ve probably realized that back-to-school season involves more than checking off a school supply list. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your child’s smile is ready for a busy year of learning, growing, playing sports, and enjoying plenty of snacks along the way.
To help set your family up for a healthy school year, Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert have put together a few simple back-to-school dental tips and healthy habits that can help reduce the risk of dental issues down the road.
#1 Protect New Teeth with Dental Sealants
When your child’s first permanent molars begin to come in (usually around ages five to seven) they bring a sneaky hazard with them: deep grooves that are great at trapping food and bacteria. Even with good brushing habits (carefully double-checked by Mom and Dad, of course 😉), those hard-to-reach surfaces can be difficult to keep clean.
That’s where dental sealants come in. Sealants are thin, protective coatings that are painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, creating a barrier that helps keep cavity-causing bacteria and acids out of those tiny grooves. Think of them as a raincoat for your child’s molars; just as a raincoat will protect you from getting wet, the sealant protects the tooth. Less contact with bacteria, germs, and acid means fewer cavities and less tooth decay!
💡Did you know? According to the Center for Disease Control, “School-age children (ages 6-11) without sealants have almost 3 times more 1st molar cavities than those with sealants.”
Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert typically recommend placing sealants soon after the permanent molars erupt; protecting those teeth early gives them the best chance to stay healthy for years to come.
And if you’ve got a nervous or squirrely kiddo, fear not! Sealants are quick, comfortable, and completely painless. Bonus? They can last for years, making them a win for kids, parents, and everyone’s busy schedule.
#2 Choose the Right Mouthguard
We all watched the 2026 Winter Olympics this year, right? One of the biggest moments came when Team USA defeated Canada in the men’s hockey gold medal game. It was an incredible finish … though Jack Hughes paid for it with a few front teeth after taking a high stick before scoring the game-winning goal.
Kids cheered. Parents everywhere covered their mouths.
While most young athletes won’t find themselves playing for Olympic gold, sports-related dental injuries are far more common than many families realize. Hockey may steal the headlines, but basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse, martial arts, baseball, and other contact sports all carry a risk of chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth.
That’s why a properly fitted mouthguard is one of the smartest things your child can pack for school. By cushioning the teeth and helping absorb the force of an impact, mouthguards greatly reduce the risk of injuries to the teeth, gums, lips, and jaws.
When it comes to choosing one, there are three main options:
Stock Mouthguards
These are the ready-to-wear mouthguards you’ll find at most sporting goods stores.
PROS:
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to find and use right away
CONS:
- Often don’t fit perfectly (or even well)
- 💡Did You Know? A mouthguard that doesn’t fit properly can actually do more damage to your teeth and gums!
- Tend to be made from cheap materials, leaving them prone to damage
“Boil-and-Bite” Mouthguards
These mouthguards are softened in hot water before your child bites down to create a more personalized fit.
PROS:
- Still relatively affordable
- Available at most sporting goods stores
- A better fit than stock mouthguards
CONS:
- The fit depends on getting the molding process exactly right
- Not as protective as a custom mouthguard
- Still often made from cheap materials
Custom Mouthguards
Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert create these using impressions of your child’s teeth, resulting in a mouthguard made specifically for their smile.
PROS:
- Perfect fit = maximum comfort and protection
- The only way to create a precise fit around dental restorations
- Durable enough to stand up to a full season of play
CONS:
- Higher upfront cost than over-the-counter options
The takeaway? Protecting teeth is much easier than repairing them. Just ask Jack Hughes.
#3 Support Healthy Growth with Myobrace
When most people think about crowded teeth, they think, “Well … it runs in the family.” And while genetics certainly do play a role, they’re only part of the story.
Everyday habits also influence the way a child’s mouth and jaws develop, which is why Dr. Elizabeth Eggert and Dr. Jeff Eggert pay attention to more than just crooked teeth.
Myobrace is one solution they may recommend the next time your child is at Eggert Family Dentistry. Myobrace is a preventive orthodontic appliance designed for children whose mouths and jaws are still growing; rather than focusing only on straightening teeth, it helps correct the underlying habits, which also supports natural jaw development, encourages proper breathing, and creates more room for permanent teeth. This isn’t just good for picture day — it’s also crucial to their overall oral health.
As your child heads back to school, it’s a great time to watch for signs that their mouth may be developing in ways that warrant a closer look into Myobrace, including:
- Frequent mouth breathing
- Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
- Crowded or crooked teeth
- Snoring during sleep
- Improper tongue posture
None of these automatically mean your child will need treatment, but they’re worth mentioning at their next visit to Eggert Family Dentistry. Myobrace is meant for growing mouths, so addressing these habits while children are still growing may reduce the need for more complex treatment later on.
💡Curious what this back-to-school dental tip looks like in practice? See how Myobrace has made a difference for families at Eggert Family Dentistry:
#4 Pack Healthy Snacks for Healthy Smiles
Let’s be honest. Between busy mornings, after-school activities, and all the emotions that come with a new school year, convenience often wins. We’ve all reached for the pre-packaged snack when time is running short.
Luckily, healthy choices can be convenient, too. A few simple swaps can go a long way toward protecting growing smiles. Here are a few lunchbox favorites to try:
- Cheese
- Plain or low-sugar yogurt
- Nuts (when allowed)
- Apple slices
- Carrot sticks
- Cucumber slices
- Water instead of sports drinks or juice
One more back-to-school dental tip: it’s not just how much sugar your child eats that affects their teeth — it’s how often. Every sugary bite or sip gives bacteria and acid another opportunity to burrow in and create cavities. Packing snacks that are lower in sugar and encouraging water between meals really help keep little smiles healthy throughout the school day.
Schedule Your Child’s Back-to-School Dentist Appointment Today
A back-to-school recare visit is the perfect opportunity to have Dr. Elizabeth Eggert or Dr. Jeff Eggert check for cavities, talk about dental sealants, make sure your child’s mouthguard is game-day ready, and determine whether early orthodontic guidance, like Myobrace®, could support healthy growth. It’s all part of Eggert Family Dentistry’s commitment to dentistry for a lifetime of smiles.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Elizabeth Eggert or Dr. Jeff Eggert and our amazing hygiene team, call Eggert Family Dentistry in North Oaks, Minnesota at 651-482-8412.