Pediatric dentistry is vital in keeping your child’s teeth happy and healthy. Unfortunately, there are a few common myths that parents believe which might put the health of your child’s teeth in jeopardy.
If you’re the parent to a young child — or a child yourself — don’t believe these common myths about baby teeth.
Many parents believe that baby teeth aren’t important to care for since they’re inevitably going to fall out anyway. On top of this, most baby teeth only come into contact with healthy baby food and breast milk. What’s the point of brushing in the first place?
Though these thoughts seem to make sense, they couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, you should have already started cleaning the bacteria from your child’s gums far before their first teeth come in. When your baby’s teeth finally begin to emerge, it’s important to give the teeth a healthy head-start by caring for them immediately. Brush your baby’s teeth with only a little toothpaste and a small brush with gentle bristles to scrub away any bacterial growth. This can help establish good dental habits in your child from the start and limit the potential for tooth decay. Speaking of which…
Unfortunately, tooth decay can begin as early as teeth appear, leading to a slew of other potential health issues down the line. In fact, it’s estimated that over 40% of children entering kindergarten will have one or more dental cavities.
If a cavity is left untreated, it might form an abscess, promote gingivitis, and even affect their overall health should the infection spread through the bloodstream. Should your child experience cavity pain, this must be dealt with swiftly by a licensed dentist.
It doesn’t matter that the tooth is going to fall out eventually: if a problem is left untreated, it’s going to get worse. On top of that, your child will have their baby teeth up through puberty, meaning that these non-permanent teeth will still be in your child’s mouth for years to come. Utilize the best preventative care to tackle cavities as soon as they appear.
Again, this myth stems from the idea that baby teeth aren’t permanent. As such, they shouldn’t need to see visit pediatric dentists until their permanent teeth come in. However, you should start to take your child to a pediatric dentist as soon as their teeth begin to emerge.
After all, you want to ensure that your child’s teeth are forming properly. It’s essential that your child should go in for regular cleanings to avoid the potentially harmful buildup of plaque which can lead to gingivitis. Your kids dentists will help you learn how to brush your child’s teeth properly and offer tips and tricks regarding preventative care.
Just like the myth regarding brushing baby teeth, dental flossing is a necessary step to maintaining the health of your child’s teeth. When you don’t floss, you’re missing nearly 80% of the tooth’s surface, including teeth present below the gumline. In fact, it’s between the teeth and below the gumline where bacteria is most likely to accumulate. Banish bacteria and germs by flossing regularly in between visits to your child’s pediatric dentists.
This myth is common among new parents. In fact, most babies will continue teething until their molars come in at around two or three years old. These are the last teeth to form and the ones that need the most attention. Get ready for some sleepless nights when teething leads to discomfort during your child’s first few years of life.
Thumb sucking can lead to potentially harmful changes in your child’s oral health. Though many children will stop sucking their thumb as a coping mechanism by the time they enter school, this can be a hard habit to break. If your child continues to suck their thumb, they may suffer tooth misalignment and even hinder palate development. Encourage your child to stop sucking their thumb early to avoid these issues.
Taking care of your child’s teeth is all the easier when you rely on great pediatric dentists. For more information about your child’s oral health, contact Smilez Pediatric Dental Group today.