September often feels like a fresh start. After the longer, lighter days of summer, the return to school, nursery and work can bring a welcome sense of routine. Bedtimes become more consistent, mornings have a little more structure, and families start getting back into the rhythm of packed lunches, school runs, homework and after-school activities. It is also a great opportunity to take a look at the everyday habits that keep the whole family healthy and well.
From sleep and screen time to exercise, meals and oral hygiene, small changes to your routines can make a big difference over time.
Why routines matter
Children often thrive when they know what to expect. Having a predictable morning and evening routine can help reduce the amount of decision-making and rushing involved in busy family life. Rather than trying to introduce lots of new habits at once, September can be a good time to choose a few key routines and make them part of everyday life.
For example:
- Getting up and going to bed at roughly the same time each day
- Having a regular breakfast
- Packing school bags and lunches the night before
- Building in time for homework and relaxation
- Limiting screen time, particularly before bed
- Making time for outdoor play and physical activity
- Creating a consistent bedtime routine
- Making tooth brushing and oral hygiene part of the morning and evening routine
And one routine that is particularly important – but can sometimes be overlooked – is looking after children’s teeth.
Don’t forget their teeth
Tooth decay is the most common reason for hospital admission among children aged five to nine in England. That makes oral hygiene much more than simply having a nice smile. Healthy teeth can support children’s ability to eat, sleep, speak and get on with everyday life without dental pain. The good news is that a consistent routine can help protect children’s teeth.
The NHS recommends brushing children’s teeth twice a day for around two minutes, including last thing before bed, using fluoride toothpaste. Children should generally be supervised with brushing until at least the age of seven. So, as you’re getting back into the school routine, why not make tooth brushing a non-negotiable part of the morning and bedtime schedule?
Brushing is important but don’t forget between the teeth
Brushing cleans the surfaces of the teeth, but it doesn’t reach every area. Cleaning between the teeth helps remove food debris and plaque from places that a toothbrush can’t easily reach. The NHS recommends cleaning between your teeth every day using floss or interdental brushes.
For older children who are ready to start taking more responsibility for their oral hygiene, introducing flossing into their routine can be a useful habit to develop. Products such as DenTek interdental cleaning products can make cleaning between the teeth easier and can be incorporated into an existing brushing routine. Their flossers for kids are bright and colourful, as well as having a fruit flavour, making it easier for them to get involved, and less like a chore. We’ve all enjoyed using them in this house!
A simple oral hygiene routine
A back-to-school routine could look something like this:
Morning
- Get dressed and have breakfast.
- Brush teeth for around two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
- Spit out the toothpaste rather than rinsing immediately afterwards, so the fluoride can continue to work.
- Get ready for school.
Evening
- Have dinner and any evening snacks.
- Complete homework or other activities.
- Begin winding down for bedtime.
- Clean between the teeth where appropriate.
- Brush teeth for around two minutes.
- Bedtime!
Keeping the order consistent can help children know what comes next and make oral hygiene feel like a normal part of the day rather than another task to negotiate.
Other routines worth resetting in September
Oral hygiene is just one part of a healthy back-to-school routine. September can also be a good time to revisit:
Sleep
Late nights and lie-ins can easily creep in over the summer holidays. Gradually returning to a consistent bedtime and wake-up time can help children adjust to school mornings.
Food and snacks
Busy mornings can make it tempting to grab something quickly, but having breakfast and planning nutritious snacks can help children get through the school day.
Screen time
If screen time has increased over the holidays, September can be a good opportunity to reset boundaries, particularly around mealtimes and bedtime.
Exercise and outdoor time
School provides plenty of opportunities for activity, but children can also benefit from time outdoors after school and at weekends. Even a walk, bike ride or trip to the park can become part of the family routine.
Mental wellbeing
Don’t forget that routines aren’t just about physical health. Children can experience their own version of the ‘back-to-school blues’. They may be worried about a new class, friendship difficulties, academic pressures, changes in routine or simply feeling overwhelmed after a busy summer. Building in time to talk, listen and check in with your child can be just as important as making sure their school uniform is ready.
You don’t have to change everything at once
A new school year doesn’t need to mean a complete overhaul of family life. Instead, think about small, sustainable changes. Maybe it’s getting school bags ready the night before. Perhaps it’s moving bedtime forward by 15 minutes, introducing a regular screen-free period in the evening or finally getting everyone into the habit of flossing. The aim isn’t perfection. It’s creating routines that are realistic enough to become habits. And when it comes to children’s teeth, those small daily habits really can add up. A healthy routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s simply about doing the little things consistently.
*DenTek items were gifted in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own.
