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As families across Westchester County check off school-supply lists and sports physicals, Next Level Pediatric Dentistry is reminding parents not to overlook one of the most important back-to-school appointments: the dental checkup. Board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Josephine Korlei Mensah, DMD is encouraging families to schedule children’s exams and cleanings in the weeks before school starts, when small problems can be caught and treated without pulling kids out of class later in the year.

The timing matters. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned, emergency dental care, and by age 9, half of all children have already had a cavity in their baby or permanent teeth.

“August is our favorite time to see families, because we can set kids up for a healthy, comfortable school year instead of reacting to a toothache in October,” said Dr. Mensah. “A cavity we catch at a back-to-school visit is a small, easy appointment. The same cavity found months later can mean pain, missed school, and much more treatment for the child.”

For the many children heading into fall sports -soccer, football, field hockey, lacrosse tryouts, and more – Dr. Mensah also urges parents to make mouth protection part of the equipment checklist. Research cited by the American Dental Association shows athletes who do not wear mouthguards are significantly more likely to suffer dental injuries; one systematic review found mouthguard wearers were 82 to 93 percent less likely to sustain dentofacial injuries than non-wearers. The ADA and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend mouthguards for youth participating in contact and collision sports.

“Parents will spend real money on cleats and shin guards, but the mouthguard is the piece of equipment that protects permanent teeth,” said Dr. Mensah. “A quick conversation at a back-to-school visit is all it takes to make sure a child’s mouth is protected for the season.”

Dr. Mensah recommends a simple back-to-school dental game plan for families: schedule a checkup and cleaning before the first day of school; ask about preventive treatments such as fluoride; refresh the daily routine with a new toothbrush for the new school year; pack tooth-friendly snacks and water instead of sugary drinks; and talk with your dentist about mouth protection for any child playing organized sports.

Next Level Pediatric Dentistry offers preventive care, same-day emergency visits, tooth-colored fillings, nitrous oxide sedation, silver diamine fluoride, and special-needs dentistry in a child-centered office designed to make visits calm and fun, with ceiling TVs, fidget toys, and private treatment rooms. The practice offers care in English and Spanish and accepts most dental insurance plans.

Appointments can be booked by calling or texting (914) 425-5865.

About Next Level Pediatric Dentistry

Next Level Pediatric Dentistry is a pediatric dental practice located at 200 White Plains Road, Suite 220, Tarrytown, NY 10591, serving families throughout Westchester and Rockland Counties. The practice is led by Dr. Josephine Korlei Mensah, DMD, a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry with more than a decade of experience in private practice. She completed her specialty training in pediatric denitstry at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx. Guided by its motto, “Building Bright Futures, One Smile at a Time,” the practice provides preventive, restorative, and emergency dental care for infants, children, and teens, including patients with special healthcare needs.

Learn more at nextlevelpediatricdentistry.com.

Media Contact
Company Name: Next Level Pediatric Dentistry
Contact Person: Dr. Korlei Mensah
Email: Send Email
Phone: (914) 425-5865
Address:200 White Plains Road, Suite 220
City: Tarrytown
State: NY 10591
Country: United States
Website: https://nextlevelpediatricdentistry.com/