4 Oral Health Habits To Teach Your Children

Pediatric dentistry is an essential part of taking proper care of your child’s health. Choosing the right pediatric dentist will help reduce your child’s dental anxiety and educate your child on how to take care of their teeth. In this article, we discuss four oral health habits to teach your children.

 

Why Is Pediatric Dentistry Important?

Some might consider the health of baby teeth less critical than that of permanent teeth. However, it is far from the truth. There are several reasons why parents should take care of their children’s baby teeth:

• Childhood is a formative period when a kid should be able to concentrate on exploration and education. Cavities and tooth decay in baby teeth that are left untreated cause chronic pain. Feeling discomfort and pain all the time might cause the child to become stressed and find it harder to concentrate. Thus, poor oral health can be damaging to a child’s studies and social activities.
• Chronic and untreated toothache might prevent the child from eating foods that require a lot of chewing or biting, such as meats, fruits, vegetables, and nuts—products that contain essential vitamins and protein. As a result, malnutrition might become a problem, negatively influencing the child’s physical and mental development. 
• The oral health of a child is closely related to the health of their whole body. Tooth decay and gum disease are essentially chronic infections in the mouth. Oral infections are proven to negatively influence the health of such organs as the heart, lungs, joints, gastrointestinal system, etc. They can also increase blood sugar levels and even affect cognitive function.
• Premature loss of baby teeth due to decay can lead to issues with jawbone development and cause orthodontic issues with permanent teeth. 
• Poor oral health in childhood can undermine oral health for the rest of life. For example, chronic gum disease is difficult to treat and is likely to cause severe issues with permanent teeth in the future.

If you see any signs of cavities in your child, make an appointment with a pediatric dentist as soon as possible. It is recommended that your child visit the dental office every six months to monitor the condition of the teeth and the development of the jaw and to have the teeth professionally cleaned.

 

4 Oral Health Habits To Teach Your Children

Good general and oral health for life starts with proper habits in childhood. Below, we list the most important oral health habits to teach your child:

 

Brushing Teeth Twice a Day

Make sure your child knows that they should brush their teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. Have your child brush their teeth in the evening right before bed, after the evening meal. Try to make the routine fun for your child, as it will help them look forward to this activity and form a strong habit faster. 

There are toothbrushes and toothpaste designed specifically for children. They are colorful and typically include popular character designs. You can also use toys and games to make the process more enjoyable. Use only positive reinforcements, and do not scold and threaten your child with dental visits if they do not brush their teeth, as it might cause lasting dental anxiety.

 

Flossing

If your child is old enough to floss, teach them how to do it properly or ask your pediatric dentist to do so. If it is still challenging for your kid to use a traditional floss, opt for a water flosser, as it might be easier to handle.

 

Visiting Dentist Regularly

As we mentioned before, the habit of visiting the dentist every six months for professional cleanings and checkups is an essential part of preventing serious oral health issues. Children might be reluctant to visit the dentist because of the intense fear of the unknown and the dentist’s intrusive actions. 

The best way to deal with your child’s dental anxiety is to educate your child about the importance of these visits in simple language. Choose books with pictures and fun characters that are aimed at educating children about dental care. You can also play out dental visits with your child so that they feel prepared for the procedures that might occur. Another way to make your child less scared of a dental visit is to promise them a reward and to bring along their favorite toy.

 

Protecting Their Teeth

Explain to your child that teeth should never be used as tools for opening boxes or bottles, cracking nuts, etc. Also, teach them to wear a mouthguard when playing sports to avoid trauma.

 

Make an Appointment Today

Do not hesitate to sign your child up for an appointment with a friendly family dentist in Culver City. We will take care of your child’s oral health and help teach them effective oral hygiene habits to have for life. We look forward to your visit to The Smile Artists LA dental office.