Two things belong on every West Covina family's back-to-school list: a dental checkup and, if your child plays a sport, a properly fitted mouthguard. A quick exam in late summer catches small problems before they turn into missed class time, and a mouthguard that actually fits protects against the kind of sports injury that sends kids to the emergency room instead of the field. Here's how to check both off the list without adding stress to an already busy season.
Why Late Summer Is the Right Time for a Checkup
Once the school year starts, calendars fill up fast with practices, tutoring, and homework. Scheduling a dental exam in late July or August, before the rush, gives us time to treat a small cavity, place a sealant, or fit a mouthguard without it competing with a packed after-school schedule. It also means your child starts the year without a toothache or a loose filling working against their focus in class.
For families juggling multiple kids' schedules across Covina, Baldwin Park, El Monte, and the rest of the San Gabriel Valley, a single back-to-school dental visit is one less thing to squeeze in during September and October.
8 Back-to-School Dental To-Dos for West Covina Families
Here's a simple checklist to work through before the first day of school:
1. Book the routine exam and cleaning
A standard checkup lets your dentist catch cavities, check for early orthodontic issues, and remove plaque buildup that a home toothbrush can miss, especially in the back molars.
2. Ask about sealants for new permanent molars
As six-year and twelve-year molars erupt, their deep grooves can be hard to keep clean. Sealants add a protective coating over those grooves and are a common, low-fuss way to reduce the risk of cavities in kids who are still learning to brush thoroughly.
3. Update any needed X-rays
X-rays help spot cavities forming between teeth and track how permanent teeth are coming in, information that's hard to get from a visual exam alone.
4. Refill or replace a worn toothbrush
A toothbrush with frayed bristles cleans less effectively. Pair a fresh brush with a back-to-school routine: brushing twice a day and flossing once, ideally at a consistent time so it becomes habit rather than an afterthought.
5. Get a sports mouthguard fitted if your child plays
If your child is heading into football, soccer, basketball, wrestling, or another sport with contact risk, this is the appointment to get a properly fitted mouthguard, not the week before the first game.
6. Review your child's water bottle habits
Sports and summer heat often mean more sports drinks and juice. These are more acidic and sugary than plain water, so encourage water as the default and save sweetened drinks for occasional treats.
7. Talk about orthodontic timing
Ages 7 to 10 are often when an orthodontic evaluation makes sense, even if braces aren't needed yet. Early screening means there's time to plan treatment around school breaks rather than mid-semester. See our guide on Invisalign vs. traditional braces if orthodontic treatment is on the horizon.
8. Pack a simple dental emergency plan
Know our phone number and what to do if a tooth gets chipped or knocked out during recess or practice. Our dental emergency guide walks through the first steps to take before you can get your child into the office.
Combine Visits When You Can
If more than one child needs a checkup, ask our front desk about back-to-back sibling appointments. It's an easy way to knock out the whole family's dental to-do list in a single trip to our West Covina office.
Why Sports Mouthguards Deserve a Spot on the Supply List
A backpack, new shoes, and school supplies usually make the list without a second thought. A mouthguard often doesn't, even though a hard fall, an elbow to the face, or a stray ball can chip a tooth, knock one loose, or injure the lips and jaw in a fraction of a second. According to the American Dental Association, athletes who wear a mouthguard are between roughly 82% and 93% less likely to suffer a dentofacial injury than those who play without one, and the ADA recommends a properly fitted mouthguard for any sport or recreational activity with meaningful risk of dental trauma, including sports many parents don't think of as contact sports, like gymnastics and skateboarding.
Stock, Boil-and-Bite, or Custom: What's the Difference?
Not all mouthguards protect equally well:
- Stock mouthguards come pre-formed in a single size. They're inexpensive but often bulky, loose, and can make it hard for a child to breathe or talk during play, so kids may pull them out and lose the protection entirely.
- Boil-and-bite mouthguards soften in hot water and are bitten into for a rough custom shape. They fit better than stock guards but can still shift during a game and wear out faster than a lab-made option.
- Custom-fitted mouthguards are made from an impression or digital scan of your child's own teeth. They stay put during play, are typically more comfortable, and can be made in thinner, better-fitting material because they're built to your child's mouth specifically.
For kids in competitive leagues or contact sports, a custom mouthguard is usually worth the upgrade, both for comfort and for how consistently it actually gets worn.
A Mouthguard Only Works If It's Worn
The ADA's research is clear that fit and consistent use are what make a mouthguard effective. A guard that's uncomfortable or ill-fitting often ends up in a gym bag instead of a mouth, so comfort isn't a minor detail, it's part of what makes the protection work.
What to Do If a Sports Injury Happens Anyway
Even with a mouthguard, accidents happen. If your child chips a tooth, has a tooth knocked loose, or is in pain after a hit to the face, don't wait for the next scheduled visit. Rinse the area gently, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and call our office right away. If a permanent tooth is knocked out entirely, time matters, our guide to tooth pain and when to seek care and our dental emergency resources can walk you through the immediate steps while you're on your way in.
Getting Your Family Ready for the School Year
Between exams, sealants, and mouthguards, back-to-school season is a natural checkpoint for your kids' oral health, not just their school supplies. Dr. Homan Hanasab and our team at American Dental Group see families throughout West Covina, Covina, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, and the greater San Gabriel Valley, and we're happy to fit checkups and mouthguard appointments around your family's schedule before the year gets busy.
Book your family's back-to-school dental visit today and ask about custom sports mouthguards while you're in for a checkup.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should my child have a dental checkup before school starts?
Late summer, four to six weeks before the first day of school, is an ideal window. It gives us time to treat a cavity or schedule a sealant appointment without competing with the back-to-school rush, and many families find it easier to book before after-school sports and homework schedules fill up.
Do kids really need a mouthguard for school sports?
Yes, for any sport with a real risk of a fall, collision, or flying ball or elbow. The American Dental Association notes that mouthguard users are significantly less likely to suffer a dentofacial injury than athletes who play without one, and recommends a properly fitted mouthguard for contact and many non-contact sports alike.
What's the difference between a stock, boil-and-bite, and custom mouthguard?
A stock mouthguard is a one-size-fits-all shape bought off the shelf. A boil-and-bite is softened in hot water and bitten into to form a rough fit at home. A custom-fitted mouthguard is made from a mold of your child's own teeth, so it fits securely, stays in place during play, and doesn't interfere with breathing or talking the way bulkier over-the-counter versions can.
Are dental sealants worth it for elementary and middle schoolers?
Sealants coat the deep grooves of back teeth where cavities most often start and where a toothbrush bristle can't always reach. For many kids they're a practical way to add a layer of cavity protection on permanent molars as they come in, though your dentist can tell you whether your child's teeth are good candidates.
What if my child chips a tooth or loses a mouthguard mid-season?
Call our office right away. A chipped or knocked-loose tooth is often manageable if it's evaluated promptly, and we can typically fit in a same-week replacement mouthguard so your child isn't sitting out practice or games while waiting on protection.
Does dental insurance cover back-to-school checkups and mouthguards?
Most dental plans cover routine exams, cleanings, and often sealants as preventive care, though coverage for custom athletic mouthguards varies by plan. Our front-office team can check your specific benefits before your visit so you know what to expect.