Summer Break Is the Perfect Time to Get Your Child’s Smile in Shape
The backpacks are almost in the closet, the report cards are nearly in hand, and summer is right around the corner for families across Pearl, Brandon, Richland, and Jackson, MS. But before the pool days, the road trips, and the late nights begin, there’s one appointment worth putting at the top of your summer to-do list: your child’s dental checkup.
At Mint Dental in Pearl, MS, Dr. Alexa Lampkin sees this pattern every spring: families get to the end of the school year, life accelerates, and dental visits get pushed to “sometime this summer,” which often turns into fall. The good news? A little planning now means your kids start the new school year with clean, healthy teeth. Here’s what every Pearl parent should know before summer officially kicks off.
Contact our Pearl dental office today at (601) 882-5600 to schedule your appointment.
Why Summer Is the Best Time for a Dental Visit
Scheduling during the school year is a headache — it means early dismissals, missed classes, and rearranged carpools. Summer removes all of that. Your child doesn’t have to miss a minute of school, and with longer daylight hours and more flexible schedules, fitting in a dental cleaning is actually easy.
But there’s a more compelling reason than convenience: summer break is long enough that if Dr. Lampkin catches something—a cavity, a developmental concern, early signs of crowding—you have time to address it before the school year starts. No one wants their child sitting in class with a toothache that could have been treated months earlier.
- 34 million school hours are lost every year in the U.S. due to unplanned dental emergencies. — CDC, Oral Health Facts
That number is striking — and almost entirely preventable. Routine dental checkups catch problems early, when treatment is simpler and less expensive. Waiting until something hurts is never the right dental strategy, especially with kids.
What Mississippi Parents Need to Know About Childhood Cavities
Here’s a fact that surprises most parents: tooth decay is the single most common chronic disease of childhood — more common than asthma. And here in Mississippi, the numbers are particularly concerning.
- Mississippi and Louisiana rank among the highest in the country for children with oral health issues and untreated tooth decay. — National Survey of Children’s Health, 2021–2022 (via ADA)
- Half of all U.S. children ages 6–9 have already had a cavity in their primary or permanent teeth. — CDC, 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report
Those statistics aren’t meant to alarm — they’re meant to motivate. Cavities are largely preventable, and the children who avoid them consistently are the ones whose parents prioritize regular dental visits and early preventive care. The earlier Dr. Lampkin can see your child, the better the chance she can keep your child’s teeth out of those statistics.
Every appointment at Mint Dental includes a thorough exam, a professional cleaning, and — if appropriate — fluoride treatments and sealants that dramatically reduce cavity risk. These aren’t add-ons. They’re the foundation of long-term oral health.
The Summer Dental Checklist for Pearl Families
Here’s what to think about before summer fully takes over:
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends dental visits every six months. If your child’s last appointment was in the fall, they’re due now. Summer fills up fast — especially July and August as back-to-school prep starts. Book in May or June while appointments are still easy to get.
If your child has permanent back molars coming in (usually around ages 6 and 12), sealants are one of the most effective investments you can make. A sealant is a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surface of those teeth, the grooves where bacteria love to hide, and where most childhood cavities start
- Children without dental sealants have 3x the need for urgent dental care compared to children with them. — Mississippi school oral health research (MHS Mobile Dental)
The procedure is quick, painless, and covered by most dental insurance plans for children. Dr. Lampkin can check at the summer visit whether your child is a good candidate.
Summer means rec leagues, travel ball, soccer camps, and pick-up games. Dental injuries are among the most common sports injuries in children — and the most preventable. A custom-fitted mouthguard from your dentist offers significantly better protection than anything you’ll find at the sporting goods store.
Ask Dr. Lampkin about a custom mouthguard at your child’s summer visit — especially if your child plays contact sports or anything with projectiles (ball, stick, elbow).
Summer means more time at home — which often means more access to juice, sports drinks, sodas, and sweet tea. These are some of the biggest culprits in childhood tooth decay. The sugar isn’t the only problem; it’s the acid these drinks introduce to your child’s mouth.
Some practical tips to share with your kids this summer:
- Water is always the best choice between meals.
- If they’re drinking juice or sports drinks, have them drink through a straw and finish the drink quickly rather than sipping it over hours.
- Rinse with water after sugary drinks.
- Wait 30 minutes after eating or drinking before brushing — acid softens enamel temporarily, and brushing right after can wear it down.
Kids don’t always volunteer that their teeth hurt. Look for these signs that it’s time to call Mint Dental even before the scheduled visit:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks
- A tooth that looks darker than the others
- Complaints of pain or achiness when chewing
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- A visible dark spot on a tooth
- A tooth that seems loose outside of the normal baby tooth timeline
None of these requires an emergency room visit — but all of them warrant a call to our Pearl office. Early intervention is always better than waiting.
What to Expect at Your Child’s Visit with Dr. Lampkin
Dr. Alexa Lampkin is a Pearl, MS dentist with advanced training in treating patients of all ages — including kids who’ve had a rough experience at the dentist before. She completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency after graduating from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry and has served as faculty at UMMC, mentoring the next generation of Mississippi dentists.
That clinical background means she understands how children’s dental development works at every stage — from baby teeth to permanent molars to wisdom teeth starting to form in teenagers. Every pediatric visit at Mint Dental includes:
- A thorough exam of teeth, gums, bite, and jaw development
- Professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar that your child’s toothbrush can’t reach
- Digital X-rays as appropriate (low-radiation, fast, and child-friendly)
- Fluoride treatment to strengthen developing enamel
- Evaluation for sealants on permanent molars
- Orthodontic screening to monitor jaw and bite development
- Personalized home care guidance for parents — brushing technique, flossing, and diet tips
The whole visit is typically 45–60 minutes. We explain everything in kid-friendly language and never rush. If your child has dental anxiety, let us know when you call — our team is experienced with anxious patients and will take extra care to make the visit comfortable.
Age-by-Age Summer Dental Guide
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first dental visit around the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing — whichever comes first. If your toddler hasn’t had their first visit yet, there’s no better time than this summer. Early visits are gentle, low-key, and focused as much on coaching parents as examining tiny teeth.
What to ask at this visit: thumb-sucking habits, pacifier weaning, the right toothpaste and amount for your child’s age, and what to do if a baby tooth gets knocked out during summer play.
This is when permanent teeth come in fast, and the mouth is constantly changing. It’s also when sealants make the biggest difference, when early orthodontic screening catches issues that are much easier to correct now than at 16, and when the habits kids form will carry them through adolescence.
What to ask at this visit: sealants on new molars, mouthguards for sports, and what to expect as more permanent teeth come in.
Teens often skip dental visits when life gets busy—school, sports, and social life all compete. But the teen years bring their own dental challenges: wisdom teeth beginning to form, enamel erosion from energy drinks, and (if they have braces) extra difficulty keeping teeth clean around hardware.
What to ask at this visit: wisdom tooth monitoring, ClearCorrect clear aligners if teeth have shifted, and how to care for teeth during orthodontic treatment.
Serving Pearl Families and the Surrounding Jackson Metro Area
Mint Dental is located at 190 Riverwind E Dr., Suite 201, Pearl, MS 39208 — easy to reach from throughout the Jackson metro. As your Pearl dentist, Dr. Lampkin and our team are proud to welcome patients from Pearl, Brandon, Richland, Jackson, Flowood, and the surrounding communities.
We coordinate family appointments so the whole household can come in together — less driving, less scheduling chaos, and a great way to model good dental habits for your kids.
Book Your Child’s Summer Cleaning Before July Fills Up
Summer appointments go fast — especially once families realize June is already halfway gone. Don’t wait until August when everyone is scrambling for back-to-school checkups.
Call Mint Dental today at (601) 882-5600 to book your dental appointment with our Pearl family dentist. We’re currently welcoming new patients and families — no referral needed. We welcome patients in Brandon, Richland, and Jackson, MS. Your kids have a whole summer ahead of them. Let’s make sure their smiles are ready for every moment of it.