Ease your kids into Fall

1. Start setting the alarm: Most likely, your alarm clock rings at the same time each day, no matter the season. For your children, though, it may not have chimed at all this summer – or, maybe it did, but couldn't be heard because it was buried under a pile of clothes!

It's also a great time to rebuild brushing habits that may have become lax with all that staying up late and sleeping in.

If you have younger children, why not get them interested in brushing earlier by tossing learning into the mix? Adding disclosing tablets that color the teeth in areas where brushing wasn't adequate can be fun for youngsters, and will have them looking forward to this little bit of dental detective work.

For teens, you'll have to try a bit harder. The gift of a Water Pik or simple tongue scraper can highlight the oral care/ fresh breath connection teens care about as they prepare to start mingling once again.

2. Schedule appointments: Get your regular cleanings scheduled for a time that works for you and your kids busy schedules. Life becomes so busy once school starts, the last thing you'll find time to do is visit the dentist.

This could lead you to wait too long, which can cause undetected cavities to advance, or it could result in you having to schedule an appointment during school hours, which means more missed classwork. Neither are good scenarios.

Such discomfort can also be distracting when trying to learn new material, so schedule early!

3. Squeeze in a little bit more fun: With fall sports in full swing, now might be a great time to speak with your dentist about the benefits of sports mouthguards in preventing your child's teeth and jaw from injury.